(1) This section applies if:
(a) a person is or was a party to a contract with the Commonwealth (as represented by the Department) for a Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship (including such a contract as varied from time to time); and
(b) an amount of medicare benefit was purportedly paid in respect of a professional service rendered at a particular time (the service time ) by, or on behalf of, the person as a medical practitioner; and
(c) the service time occurred in a period during which a medicare benefit was not payable to the person under subsection 19ABA(1); and
(d) the amount is recoverable as an amount owing to the Commonwealth.
(2) The Minister may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, waive the amount owing.
(3) If the Minister waives the amount owing under subsection (2), the Minister must give written notice of the waiver to the person.