‘It’s gratifying to see the failures laid out clearly and the horror of having targeted people with the least capacity to navigate a complex system.
‘The amount of work I had to do to answer the debt notice was incomprehensible and I cannot imagine what it was like for those who speak another language, or those with disability.’ – Madeleine Masterton
A forensic analysis of the failures of robodebt is an opportunity to rebuild trust and hope into our social security system, so that it works for the people it is meant to support.
We welcome the final report of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt which was handed to the Australian Government today making 57 recommendations after 10 months of investigation.
We are pleased to see some accountability given the immeasurable harm caused to thousands of Australians.
‘We’re proud of our clients and our role in helping end robodebt, but we hope never to be in that position again,’ said Miles Browne, Managing Lawyer, Economic and Social Rights.
‘Robodebt ran for years and it took an immense effort for many individuals and organisations to bring it to heel.
‘That the government had to be taken to court is a failure of administration and an indictment on all those who had the power to bring this scheme to a close,’ said Miles.
This is a moment of justice and vindication for all those impacted by this unlawful debt collection scheme.
In 2019, we successfully challenged the lawfulness of Robodebt in the Federal Court, contributing to the broader campaign that ultimately led to its close.
A fairer system for all
We encourage all policy makers to use this opportunity to create a fairer social security system.
‘With every second household in Australia accessing government payments, we echo the commissioner in calling for an end to ‘anti-welfare’ rhetoric,’ said Rowan McRae, Executive Director, Legal Practice, Civil Justice, Access and Equity.
‘People receiving social security support deserve to be heard, to understand and exercise their rights, and to have access to legal and non-legal help to do that – including from legal aid commissions, community legal centres and financial counsellors.'
On the role of advocacy groups and legal services, we strongly encourage the government to adopt all four recommendations, including recommendation 12.4 that recognises the public interest role played by these services which was exemplified throughout robodebt.
We thank the commission for its work, those who advocated against robodebt and all our clients, particularly Madeleine Masterton and Deanna Amato for their strength and courage in fronting the Federal Court litigation.
More information
For media queries, contact Senior Communications Advisor Crys Ja on crys.ja@vla.vic.gov.au or phone 0457 483 780 or (03) 9280 3858.
Reviewed 07 July 2023