Labor urged to back welfare debt recovery

Labor should support debt recovery from overpaid welfare recipients the same way it should support it for multinationals, the federal government says.

Former welfare recipients with jobs who've yet to pay back their Centrelink debt will be charged interest under government plans to recoup $461 million.

It's part of a broader bid to recover $2 billion from overpaid welfare recipients, which includes a measure to data-match income declared to Centrelink with that of the tax office.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter needs legislation to launch the measures.

On Thursday he implored Labor to support government bills in the same way it should back recouping money owed by multinationals.

"The question is will they vote in favour of a bill to recoup this money owed to the taxpayer," he told parliament.