Tag: Robodebt Inquiry

LNP Government

Robo-debt: Minister Stuart Robert wanted to ‘double down’ when problems revealed, royal commission told

Former minister Stuart Robert wanted to “double down” when problems with the scheme were uncovered.

 A public service culture of reward and punishment could have led senior officers to stay quiet about the unlawful robo-debt scheme, a royal commission has been told.

When problems with the scheme were revealed, former minister Stuart Robert wanted to “double down” rather than apologise and correct the error, the hearing was told.

When the program was discovered to be unlawful, Leon advised Robert that the department should apologise to customers, admit the error and inform the public of steps to correct it.

She remembered Robert replied: “We absolutely will not be doing that. We will double down.”

Leon said some ministers suggested ending the robo-debt program while not repaying debts or telling anyone unless people appealed, but she felt this was inconsistent with legal obligations.

Source: Robo-debt: Minister Stuart Robert wanted to ‘double down’ when problems revealed, royal commission told

LNP Government

Robodebt advice would cause damage: lawyer – Michael West

The controversial robodebt scheme would have been fundamentally changed or stopped altogether had independent legal advice been sought on the issue, a royal commission has been told.

The commission examining the Centrelink debt recovery scheme was told such independent advice would have “reputational damage” to the government and the departments administering the program.

Former Social Services principal legal officer Anna Fredericks told the commission that obtaining independent legal advice on the scheme was sought, but tensions between the Department of Social Services and the Department of Human Services prevented it from occurring.

“If independent legal advice had been sought at the time and had full scope and awareness of the program, I have no doubt they would have come to that view (of it being unlawful),” she said.

“It would have undoubtedly led to a redesign or cessation … it would have likely caused reputational damage to those two departments but also to the government.”

 

Source: Robodebt advice would cause damage: lawyer – Michael West