Minister quizzed over Medicare theft

Human Services Minister Marise Payne has defended her department against claims of a security blunder after Medicare details were stolen and potentially used for fraud.

Labor senator Doug Cameron has accused Senator Payne's office and department of "dropping the ball" after several files were allegedly taken from medical practices in NSW.

But Senator Payne says the claims are an "outrageous slur" on her department, which is investigating the theft.

"The government and the department take the responsibility of protecting taxpayers' money and personal information very seriously," she said on Thursday.

NSW police notified the department on September 10 after they found the files during an unrelated police operation, she said.

But Senator Cameron said he wrote to Senator Payne a month ago after a constituent raised concerns with him.

"I received nothing back from this minister," he told parliament.

He pressed the minister during question time on when she was first notified of the breach.

NSW police are also investigating the theft and Senator Payne says she won't comment further.