Australia had a Royal Commission into the Robodebt debacle
Now what happens?
The commission wound up 6 days ago.
Key points
- Lawyers 'appeared to come under pressure' from Prime Minister Morrison.
- Commonwealth warned of potential legal problems two years prior
- Senior bureaucrat admitted to breaching code of conduct
- Crossed-out phrase in brief for Morrison 'watered down' seriousness of potential legal issues
- Manager described day-to-day pressures of 'overwhelmed' department
- Department head signed off on scheme without knowing if it was legal
- 'Not my responsibility' says department head
Data from the Department of Human Services has confirmed over 2000 people, many of them vulnerable, died after receiving a Centrelink Robo-Debt notice.
Secretary of the Department of Social Services Kathryn Campbell, who had headed the department responsible for robodebt, denied the idea that robodebt had led to any deaths.
“Chair, I do not accept those assertions that are being made, they are not correct,” she said. “We have apologised for the hurt and harm but none of us can imagine what goes on in individuals’ lives.”
Statements like that from the Liberal Party show a meanness against vulnerable people.
My wish is for some of those who were responsible for decisions made be held to account.
Involuntary Manslaughter?
The final report due by April 18, 2023 — hearings will recommence in December.
The commission wound up 6 days ago.
Key points
- Lawyers 'appeared to come under pressure' from Prime Minister Morrison.
- Commonwealth warned of potential legal problems two years prior
- Senior bureaucrat admitted to breaching code of conduct
- Crossed-out phrase in brief for Morrison 'watered down' seriousness of potential legal issues
- Manager described day-to-day pressures of 'overwhelmed' department
- Department head signed off on scheme without knowing if it was legal
- 'Not my responsibility' says department head
Data from the Department of Human Services has confirmed over 2000 people, many of them vulnerable, died after receiving a Centrelink Robo-Debt notice.
Secretary of the Department of Social Services Kathryn Campbell, who had headed the department responsible for robodebt, denied the idea that robodebt had led to any deaths.
“Chair, I do not accept those assertions that are being made, they are not correct,” she said. “We have apologised for the hurt and harm but none of us can imagine what goes on in individuals’ lives.”
Statements like that from the Liberal Party show a meanness against vulnerable people.
My wish is for some of those who were responsible for decisions made be held to account.
Involuntary Manslaughter?
The final report due by April 18, 2023 — hearings will recommence in December.
