Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The recipients of Australian honours and awards are rightly held in high regard by everyday Australians. In 2019, Kathryn Campbell, the public servant responsible for robodebt and a former senior officer in the ADF, was appointed an officer of the Order of Australia for 'distinguished service to public administration through senior roles with government departments'. An officer of the Order of Australia is awarded for 'distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large'. Thanks to the robodebt royal commission, we now know that Ms Campbell's department received legal advice in 2014 that the robodebt scheme, the one she drove for years, was not lawful. Does the government plan to strip Ms Campbell of her Order of Australia?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

WONG (—) (): Thank you, Senator Lambie. I acknowledge and respect the work that you and other senators in this place have done in relation to robodebt. I think all of us, or certainly most of us, have been appalled by what has been made public by the royal commission and I think appalled by the actions that have been described or alleged in relation to certain ministers. Obviously, the hope always is that the principle of a professional high-quality Public Service is something that we want to see. It's a good thing for the country. I know Senator Gallagher is working with the Public Service to ensure that the sorts of principles that Australians expect from an apolitical professional public service are not only observed but are strengthened.

I don't really propose to discuss individuals in particular, particularly in the circumstance where a royal commission report has been presented and a confidential chapter is subject to a direction not to publish that has been made by the royal commission. The advice I have been provided with is that public commentary may prejudice future inquiry or investigation, so you may understand why I won't respond in relation to a specific individual. But I think it has been very clear that the government is intending to act on the— (Time expired)

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In 2012, the now Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for 'distinguished command and leadership in action as commander of Joint Task Force 633'. He received this while commanding Australian diggers who are accused of committing war crimes, diggers he is now throwing under the bus. Does the government plan to strip General Campbell of his Distinguished Service Cross?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd ask you, President, to have a look at whether or not that is a supplementary question, but I will answer it anyway because I think possibly there is a through line which is associated with the award of an Australian honour—although I'd note it's different portfolios.

Those decisions are not made by ministers; as you know, there's a process around honours. We have been seeking to improve those and ensure honours reflect the diversity of contributions across the Australian community. My recollection—and I don't have a brief in front of me, and I will come back to you, Senator Lambie, if I'm wrong—is that that is not a matter for government; it would be a matter for His Excellency the Governor-General. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call Senator Lambie, I will seek guidance on the primary question and the supplementary question. Senator Lambie, second supplementary?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Madam President; you'll see why this is. The Distinguished Service Cross and the Order of Australia are two of Australia's highest honours. These honours should be reserved only for those who have served Australia exceptionally. Is the minister worried about the integrity of these honours when it appears they are handed out to people oh-so-willing to throw everyday Australians and diggers under the bus?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think we've moved from honours to defence medals; is that right, Senator Lambie? The Distinguished Service Cross is, I think, awarded within the Defence portfolio. Again, I will see what I can find in relation to this. These are matters which may have been raised—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Lambie?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Point of order. We can discuss who has that; I'm very aware of that. Is the minister worried about the integrity of these honours when it appears they are handed out to people oh-so-willing to throw everyday Australians and diggers under the bus? There is an integrity problem here, and I'm asking whether the government is concerned about that.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Lambie, that's not a point of order. The minister was trying to establish the relationship between the primary question and the first and the second supplementary. Minister, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government is concerned about what has occurred in relation to robodebt, and we are concerned, as I know you are, Senator, about the vulnerable Australians who were targeted unfairly, and we are concerned about the tragedies and the human cost of this. That is why we asked for a royal commission, and that is why the government will methodically go through the recommendations of that royal commission—including that which has not been published. You are right to point to that as a—sorry, am I done?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, you are. Thank you for drawing it to your own attention, Minister!