Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Sheldon for his question and for his deep concern for the impact of robodebt on so many Australians. Yes, I can answer that question because Labor committed to establishing a royal commission into robodebt, and just over 12 months after the government being elected, on the morning of 7 July 2023, Commissioner Holmes delivered her final report for all to see. The report set out its findings on the Liberal and Nationals' cruel robodebt scheme. The report highlighted how the scheme unlawfully raised $1.8 billion of debt against approximately 435,000 vulnerable Australians. The report told the personal stories of tragedy and suffering this terrible scheme caused members of our community who, through no fault of their own, felt attacked with nowhere to turn.

In the final report, Commissioner Holmes noted:

… the Robodebt Scheme was put together on an ill-conceived, embryonic idea and rushed to Cabinet … It is clear enough why it was thought necessary and desirable: because of the dual advantages of supposed savings … and its neat alignment with the political rhetoric of the day about the social security system and the need for 'integrity' in welfare payments.

Yet, despite the damning findings of the report, which found that the Liberals and Nationals had put political pointscoring over the welfare of vulnerable Australians, sadly many of the scheme's architects remain members of the coalition benches to this day.