AGL’s use of Centrepay not audited for two years despite allegations it wrongly took $700,000 from vulnerable Australians

AGL allegedly received more than $700,000 in Centrepay payments from about 575 Centrelink clients who had ceased being its customers years before. Photograph: David Mariuz/AAP

The federal government has not audited AGL’s use of Centrepay in two years despite revelations that the energy giant wrongly received more than $700,000 in welfare money from its former customers through the government-run debit system.

A Guardian Australia investigation of Centrepay, a system allowing businesses access to welfare payments before they hit recipients’ bank accounts, has revealed significant failings.