Robodebt Scandal: Victims Left in the Dark

0:00What's up? I'm Corey, and these are your headlines from Sydney News today. Australia's RoboDead scandal has been in the spotlight again with the final report from the National Anti-Corruption Commission. This automated debt recovery system run by Centrelink, wrongly targeted vulnerable people starting back in 2016. It used income averaging to issue debts that were often illegal, affecting hundreds of thousands. A whistleblower from Centrelink's compliance team first exposed the issues just before Christmas that year. They revealed that only a small fraction of the debts were legitimate, despite government claims that everything was business as usual. Ministers insisted the process was the same as always, but insiders knew it was causing real harm. Victims, many from low-income families, faced huge stress, with some driven to despair or suicide. The scheme tested the country's accountability systems from the ombudsman to the courts, and they largely fell short. Several challenges were blocked or ignored for years.

1:00This week's 455-page report looked at five former officials and ex-prime minister Scott Morrison. It found serious corrupt conduct by two senior public servants, Serena Wilson and Mark with now, for misleading investigators in 2017, but no charges due to issues with evidence and missibility. Meanwhile, Morrison and others were cleared, with blames shifted to departments for poor advice. Those feel let down, saying nine years of fighting brought no-wheel justice or accountability. Trusting government remains shattered. The Daily News Now is powered by our sponsor. If earbuds fall out when you sleep, this is for you, a pillow with built-in sound, L.I. SoleyPillo.com