Robodebt Royal Commission Names Officials

0:00What's up, Sydney? This is Sydney News Today, bringing you the city's fastest updates on what is happening now. After nearly three years, the secret chapter of Australia's RoboDet Royal Commission report has finally been made public. This 56-page section, names public officials involved in creating the unlawful debt recovery scheme run by Centrelink. The Royal Commissioner referred several people to watchdogs, like the National Anti-Corruption Commission for possible corruption or misconduct. The chapter points to former agency heads, Catherine Campbell and Serena Wilson, along with officials Mark Withno, Annette Mussolino and Catherine, Halbert. It also reveals referrals to police over suspected false testimony and to professional bodies for code breaches. Earlier this week, the National Anti-Corruption Commission wrapped up its review of six key referrals. Victims of the scheme, which wrongly pursued welfare debts from hundreds of thousands of people, have mixed feelings about the release. Many say naming officials isn't enough justice after the harm caused.

1:03The government has acknowledged the scheme's cruel impact and paid out more than $2,400,400,000 in total compensation, including $475,000,000 last year. The National Anti-Corruption Commission's report found serious corrupt conduct by Withno and Wilson, who knew about illegal income averaging, but didn't act. However, a cleared former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and others like Campbell differing from the Royal Commission on some details. No prosecutions will follow due to lack of strong evidence. With these findings out, the Robodex saga is largely over, remaining actions depend on private lawsuits, but the main investigations have concluded. This story is shared with support from our sponsor. A pillow that plays your podcast, music, or white noise privately, no earbuds required. S-O-L-L-I, solelypillow.com