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The Latest Breaking News from RoboDebt

The Australian government had multiple chances to press ‘stop’ on robodebt – but didn’t

Legal advisers said again and again that the automated debt recovery scheme was unlawful. New evidence shows how the objections were overcome

The Guardian - AU

Senior official denies ‘manipulating the truth’ to ombudsman over legality of robodebt scheme

DSS witness faces scrutiny at royal commission over involvement in robodebt plans and evidence given to watchdog’s 2017 investigation

The Guardian - AU

Senior public servant under scrutiny at robodebt inquiry appointed head of Aukus project office

Former head of Department of Human Services Kathryn Campbell has come under extensive questioning at the royal commission into robodebt

The Guardian - AU

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Draft Robodebt proposal to Scott Morrison was a 'watering down' of legal advice

Emails between Department of Human Services and Department of Social Services officials showed the language around the Robodebt scheme had been softened.

The Canberra Times

Scott Morrison’s lawyers say his ‘reputation is on the line’ over robodebt royal commission testimony

Counsel for former PM says he should be able to refer to secret cabinet documents when giving evidence

The Guardian - AU

Robodebt evidence confirms every bad stereotype about the modern public service

At Services Australia, apparently the big problem with robodebt was that ordinary people were too dumb to understand it.

Crikey

Officials given chance to ‘effectively co-write’ report into department’s handling of robodebt, inquiry told

Former manager at DHS testifies that it was ‘useful’ if the department which administered debt recovery scheme could ‘influence’ watchdog’s language

The Guardian - AU

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Robodebt royal commission told Human Services staffers attempted to influence ombudsman report into troubled scheme

A bureaucrat who helped manage the Robodebt "crisis" in 2017 tells a royal commission it is "normal practice" for public servants to provide wording to independent statutory bodies investigating government programs.

ABC News

Robodebt officials 'co-wrote' vital report

Human Services department officials had the opportunity to contribute to a Commonwealth Ombudsman report

AAP

Morning Mail: Albanese talks trade with Xi, Trump poised to run, Russian missiles reportedly hit Poland

In today’s newsletter: PM’s meeting with Xi Jinping is first step to normalising relations, while misery continues for NSW residents hit by flooding

The Guardian - AU

The Robodebt royal commission has wrapped up for now. Here are some of the key takeaways

The Robodebt royal commission hears startling evidence with senior bureaucrats admitting they didn't follow legal advice, were too busy to raise concerns or didn't think it was their responsibility. Here's how the two weeks of hearings wrapped up.

ABC News

'Lack of curiosity' over robodebt legality

A former senior public servant has admitted to a "lack of curiosity" over a legal advice related to the legality of the robodebt scheme.

AAP

Finn Pratt confirmed Robodebt's lawfulness despite not taking legal advice, commission hears

The former Department of Social Services secretary signed a letter to the Commonwealth Ombudsman in 2017 saying the scheme was legal, despite not seeing any legal or policy advice or knowing how it worked, a royal commission hears.

ABC News

Robodebt 'stuff up' analysis 'spot on'

A former senior public servant says a judicial assessment of the failed robodebt program as a stuff up was spot on.

AAP

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AAP

Public servant 'ashamed' about robodebt

An ex-deputy department secretary says she should have done more to stop the robodebt scheme from running as long as it did but she "lacked courage".

AAP

Robodebt rolled out despite pilot problems

Two senior public servants involved in the robodebt program have given evidence to the royal commission about how it was rolled out despite legal issues.

ABC News

Crossed-out phrase in a brief for Scott Morrison 'watered down' seriousness of potential Robodebt legal issues, inquiry hears

Warnings about legal and policy problems with the proposed Robodebt scheme were "watered down" in a brief being prepared for then social services minister Scott Morrison, according to evidence given to the Robodebt royal commission.

The Guardian - AU

‘A shameful chapter’: how Australia’s robodebt saga was allowed to unfold

Bombshell legal advice finally revealed this week was initially dismissed, discarded or overruled. The consequences for many have been tragic

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AAP

Robodebt scheme told to 'cease and desist'

A royal commission into the illegal robodebt scheme was told the Australian Tax Office ordered the Department of Human Services to stop using taxpayer data.

The Conversation

The Robodebt scheme failed tests of lawfulness, impartiality, integrity and trust

The Robodebt royal commission is currently hearing evidence of tremendous hardship inflicted on people by a government that appeared to have little concern for the people its actions affected.

The Guardian - AU

Treasurer says inflation ‘number one challenge’ – as it happened

This blog is now closed

ABC News

Commonwealth warned of potential legal problems with Robodebt scheme two years before it began, Royal Commission hears

The warning was revealed in the first day of the royal commission hearings being held into the controversial scheme, which ran from 2016 to 2019 and involved recovering debts from welfare recipients.

The Guardian - AU

Morning Mail: Australian among dead in crush in Seoul

In today’s newsletter: South Korea in mourning after at least 153 deaths; top Queensland policeman accused of being ‘condescending’ by First Nation leaders; east braces for more terrible weather

ABC News

Robodebt faces a reckoning as royal commission begins

Deanna Amato never imagined she would take on the federal government in court. But then, in 2018, she opened her tax return and received a shock: her entire refund had been seized.

The New Daily

‘I flipped out. I actually cried. I didn’t owe that money’: Robodebt victims speak out

From Monday, the royal commission into the unlawful debt recovery scheme known as Robodebt will start calling witnesses.

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