Man says accusation he owed thousands made him ill as Robodebt Royal Commission resumes
Matthew Thompson is one of the Australians who was accused of owing thousands of dollars to the government.
The Queenslander suffers from generalised anxiety which means he can only work part time.
He also claims welfare benefits.
But one day a letter arrived saying he owned thousands.
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Matthew Thompson is one of the Australians who was accused of owing thousands of dollars to the government. Nine
"This whole thing has caused people to lose their lives," he said.
Thompson was one of hundreds of thousands of Australians sent a letter as part of the illegal and failed robodebt scheme, a method of automated debt assessment targeting welfare recipients.
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It was introduced by the Abbott government in 2016.
The Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme into what happened has already heard from a number of high profile political heavyweights including former prime minister Scott Morrison, former attorney attorney-general Christian Porter and former minister Alan Tudge.
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Tomorrow, former human services minister Stuart Robert and Senator Marise Payne will take the stand.
Thompson said being accused of owing thousands caused him extreme stress.
From 2011-2015 he worked part time for Hobart's Mercury newspaper.
He correctly declared his hours and salary to Centrelink.
However in 2016 he received the letter that informed him he owed $6000.
"One morning I woke up and I vomited and I couldn't get out of bed," he said.
"Three different occasions, I was very nearly hospitalised.
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"The anxiety I have to manage, I had a heart attack as well."
It was later revealed he owed nothing.
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But he said the effects have continued.
"They were the architects of the scheme that has caused so much pain," he said.
"I really struggle with the way politicians talk about people like me, who access income support."
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