16 September 2024
Over the nearly five years since Robodebt was found to be unlawful, we have continued to hear damning evidence of the conscious decision-making and systemic cultural issues that led to the scandal. As these revelations have trickled through, Economic Justice Australia (EJA) has waited for some measure of true accountability for those responsible for the design and implementation of this trauma. We have been disappointed instead to see that mounting evidence has coincided with what we perceive to be a growing reluctance to enact meaningful justice for victims of the scheme.
On Friday, the Australian Public Service Commissioner (APSC) released the Final Report on the Robodebt Centralised Code of Conduct Inquiry. The report revealed that, of 16 individuals referred to it, 12 current or former public servants breached the Code of Conduct a total of 97 times. This included two of the most senior Department staff at the time, who between them were found to have made a total of 25 breaches.
Yet so far, the main sanction for damaging behaviour at the top levels of the Department has been naming and shaming. It is our view that this indicates the punitive nature of the social security system in Australia only flows one way, and that it is only interested in punishing the vulnerable.
“Our social security model is set up to assume welfare recipients are guilty until they can prove themselves innocent,” says EJA CEO Kate Allingham. “This makes it especially disappointing when public servants, who are on high salaries and in positions of power, aren’t held accountable for egregious breaches of rules put in place to protect human life and public trust.
“Although there seems to be a perception that Robodebt is a closed chapter in our history, we are still seeing the fall-out from it. Five years might be a long time in public service, but it is nothing to those whose lives were ruined as a result of the scheme.
“Lack of trust in the system is still causing damage in our communities. Some of the most vulnerable individuals in the country are still not on payment, are on incorrect payment, or are on reduced payment due to debts; many have simply disengaged because they don’t trust the system is set up to protect them.
“Until we see justice for Robodebt’s victims, we cannot make steps to restore public trust. We cannot know for sure that the public service is acting with integrity. Not least because, if Government demonstrates there are no consequences for rule-breaking, it is only a matter of time until this happens again,” says Ms Allingham.
[ENDS]
Media contact: Kirsty Sier | 0435 075 085 | kirsty@ejaustralia.org.au