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The Latest Breaking News from RoboDebt

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

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

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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

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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

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.

AAP

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.

ABC News

‘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

The Guardian - AU

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.

AAP

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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

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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.

ABC News

Robodebt cases dumped and debts wiped amid royal commission into controversial scheme

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth says the outstanding "Robodebt" cases will be ended, as the federal government tries to clear the final remnants of the highly criticised system.

ABC News

Mother whose son took his life after learning debt hopes Robodebt royal commission will bring justice

A Queensland mother whose son took his own life just hours after learning he owed a Centrelink debt says she hopes the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme will bring about justice for victims.

The Guardian - AU

Australian government faces biggest class action ‘since robodebt’ over NDIS age exclusions

Class action alleging exclusion from disability scheme for over 65s could rival robodebt scandal

ABC News

Robodebt royal commission welcomed by mum whose son, alleged to owe $28k, took own life

Jenny Miller has been fighting for a royal commission into the automated debt recovery scheme since 2017, when her 27-year-old son, Rhys Cauzzo, took his own life after receiving relentless calls and letters claiming he owed tens of thousands of dollars.

ABC News

A royal commission is set to review Robodebt. Its legacy is still hanging over Centrelink recipients today

A royal commission into Robodebt has been confirmed. While there's hope justice could be around the corner, scars remain for many.

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