A Tasmanian Independent is welcoming the Prime Minister’s announcement of a Royal Commission into the robodebt scheme.
The Morrison Government’s botched welfare clawback saw 433,000 Australians sent Centrelink debt notices which were unlawful, using a computer algorithm which supposedly detected overpayments.
Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie says his office was among the first to raise the alarm about robodebt after distressed welfare recipients got in touch.
The Federal Court has since ordered a $1.8 billion settlement for those wrongly accused.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced former Queensland Supreme Court Chief Justice Catherine Holmes AC will head up the Royal Commission into who was ultimately responsible for the scandal.
“It’s beyond time the full extent of the damage and harm the failed Robodebt scheme caused is thoroughly examined,” Mr Wilkie said.
“Too many people were hurt, some even taking their own lives, for this matter to be consigned to history.
“There is also the worrying element that Robodebt is merely a symptom of a much bigger and ongoing systemic problem within Services Australia.
“Indeed, Centrelink debt notices are still being raised which in many cases seem to be unfounded.”
