The Government's being challenged to lift its MIQ debt collection game

National's Chris Bishop says it's not good enough that of the $2.13 million debt collectors have been hired to chase ... just 172-thousand dollars have been paid back.

He says it's time for the Government to start getting tough with those who owe money.

Bishop says the debt collection agency needs to go after people who've been through MIQ... but have failed to pay their bill