Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, has welcomed the Federal Government’s response to the Robodebt Royal Commission.
“Robodebt was a catastrophic failure of government administration that destroyed the lives of thousands of Australians,” Mr Wilkie said. “It’s entirely appropriate that the Federal Government will accept in full, or agree in principle, to all 56 recommendations of the Robodebt Royal Commission.
“The Government now needs to provide a clear timeline for when they will implement the recommendations, and also provide clarity around the seven recommendations they agree to in principle. This is particularly important for the recommendations on face-to-face services, increasing the number of social workers and reinstating the limitation of six years on debt recovery. It’s also important we finally see those responsible for this cruelty held to account.
“This important matter is especially relevant to my office and staff. They were early critics of this monstrous injustice and helped countless victims from one end of the country to the other. While the Royal Commission and now the Government’s response will give some of those victims some comfort, the sad truth is that Robodebt ruined many peoples’ lives and caused the death of some.”