How many Robodebts will it take to end government cover-ups?

We may have set up a Royal Commission into systemic failures and voted for a new Federal Labor Government along the way, but two years on from the Robodebt findings what has actually changed?

Our institutions are still failing us. Of course, there seems to be little desire to help the most vulnerable in our community or create more government transparency beyond platitudes.

Robodebt has affected more than 400,000 people. Of these, only 338 One in 44,000 people who overpaid their debts to Centrelink due to incorrectly and unlawfully collected debts have been reinstated. Most of these debts date back to 2007, and at least 2,700 victims are believed to have died since then before they could see their money returned.

No one was ever convicted or even charged for the illegal plan.

The appointment system is described as giving jobs to boys, it is not seen as fair and unfair by the public.

Kathryn Campbell The person who blames Robodebt on the victims violated During the Robodebt program we were subject to the Civil Service Code of Conduct 97 times.

The former Secretary of Human Services, who sat impassive as he coolly claimed this. “didn’t return [her] mind” Due to the illegality, unfairness or consequences of his actions, which left thousands of vulnerable people destitute, broken and suicidal, he was eventually involuntarily suspended without pay from the Australian Public Service.

By this stage Campbell had moved on to another important post at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade but resigned shortly afterwards. Despite the responsibility, both positions paid this unelected official more than $900,000 a year; This was almost twice the Prime Minister’s salary. He is also believed to be on a state pension wealthy.

Neither did the politicians who designed and implemented the plan. Scott Morrison, stuart robert, Christian Porter or Alan Tudge They faced the consequences of their shameless behavior.

Despite the National Anti-Corruption Commission, no one has ever been prosecuted for abuse of public office for this terrible crime (NACC) apparently still to research.

Speaking of NACC, Commissioner Paul Brereton Only mercenary It’s about $800,000 per year, so naturally he can’t devote all of his time to such a low-paying position and needs to moonlight somewhere else – like the Department of Defense, for example. consulting After announcing his resignation from his post

Brereton also remains a commissioner of the NACC. engaged “Officer misconduct” regarding conflict of interest related to the Robodebt scandal.

David Pocock said the NACC Commissioner’s position was “indefensible” after he condemned the NACC Inspector General’s findings against him on Robodebt, that he “did not properly recuse himself” and was even involved in the “framing” of the “media release”
“This doesn’t seem to work.”#abc730 pic.twitter.com/pxMvf7Y12U

— stranger (@garip10) 30 October 2024

Perhaps the National Anti-Corruption Commission should be renamed the Commission for the Absence of Responsibility and Fault.

Campbell and Brereton are not alone among the higher echelons of elite public servants earning eye-watering salaries without accountability.

A recent report by the Labor Government found that many government-appointed roles ‘It looks like favoritism’ and they ‘Confidence in the government is being shaken’.

‘Report Review Report on Public Board Appointment Processes: No FavoritesLynelle Briggs’ report, The Spouses’ Jobs Report, reveals that favoritism has become commonplace:

‘The appointment system is described as providing jobs for boys, it is not seen as fair and unfair by the public.’

Report states:

‘The practice in recent years has been to appoint friends of the Government to boards, either as a reward for past loyalty or to ensure alignment with government priorities, and often these appointments have resembled forms of patronage and nepotism that should have no place in modern Australian society.’

Ms Briggs warned that most people believed all direct appointments by ministers were politically motivated and said there was currently insufficient checks on accountability.

Briggs made several suggestions, including:

‘there will be no direct ministerial appointments within six months before the last possible election date’;

‘No direct ministerial appointments can be made that are not progressed through the standard appointment process‘

‘that the term of office of the government board be a standard, single four-year term; And

‘The Australian Public Service Commission must also take responsibility for supporting appointment processes with ministers’.

Ms Briggs also recommended that former politicians and staff should be banned from government board appointments for six months after leaving government, that this period should be extended to 18 months for former ministers and their staff and, most importantly, that these changes should be legislated.

How to give up on a problem:

– Get a review
– Ignore important suggestions
– Do not include anything in legislation
– Keep giving jobs to men 酪 pic.twitter.com/eFexrEREKR

— Barbara Pocock (@BarbaraPocock) December 2, 2025

However, it does not appear that the Government will enact these recommendations. Minister of Public Service Senator Katy Gallagher instead announced the new government instructionsincluding ministers ‘There should be transparency on this issue’ Appointments must be made by‘merit basis’ And ‘‘interests of good government’.

Independent Senator David Pocock in question:

‘It is very disappointing that the Albanian Government refuses to accept the full range of recommendations of the Briggs Review, which are designed to stop the rampant cronyism that exists in federal policy.’

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has also decided that Freedom of Information laws need to be reviewed. stronger to access information about government decision-making processes – because after all, not much information can be given to us for free.

We may now have a Labor Government that talks the talk, but the reality seems to fall far short of a framework that is fair for all.

It seems that all governments of both persuasions can do with conviction is raise money, dismiss low-level public officials, and impose inhumane and/or secret regulations with astonishing alacrity. Don’t hold your breath while waiting for justice or progress.

None of this is news, of course, but given that jobs are in danger due to AI, billionaires who are also media barons, and a crazy despot in the fuel department of the White House, we need real progress, and it doesn’t seem like it’s happening.

We all need to be more informed, and we certainly need to hold our leaders and their appointees more accountable. The Royal Commission into Robodebt should have been a lightbulb moment. Change is necessary and it is needed before the next Robodebt royal commission.

Follow managing editor Michelle Pini at Bluesky @michellepini.bsky.social and Independent Australia on Bluesky @independentaus.bsky.socialX/Twitter @independentaus and Facebook HERE.