Name public servants linked to robodebt

THE National Anti-Corruption Commission's (NACC) investigation into the robodebt scandal needs to be public and the six people at the centre of claims should be named. This is the view of Independent MP for Indi Helen Haines as she also calls for reform of the commission to create more transparency. The robodebt scheme was an automated debt collection program that raised incorrect debts from welfare recipients in Australia. Dr Haines said the robodebt scandal is one of the worst examples of public maladministration in Australia’s history. "Tragically, people lost their lives because of this scheme," she said. "We cannot, and must not, ever forget the impacts of robodebt and there must be accountability for those involved." After NACC initially declared it would not pursue an investigation into the six people referred by the robodebt royal commission, on 10 February the commission confirmed it will now investigate. "That initial decision, from June last year, was an early misstep for the new commission," Dr Haines said. "It drew more than 1000 complaints to the NACC inspector Gail Furness. "I welcome the decision by the independent reviewer of this initial decision, Geoffrey Nettle KC, that the NACC should investigate the six individuals." The NACC will now decide whether or not to hold public hearings in its investigation of robodebt. Dr Haines said this involves considering whether exceptional circumstances will apply. "It is important that the NACC now undertakes an impartial and fair investigation of the six individuals referred by the Royal Commission into robodebt. "That referral was provided to the NACC in a ‘sealed section’. "I believe it is now time to make public that sealed section which names the six individuals." If re-elected, Dr Haines will introduce legislation to improve transparency of the National Anti-Corruption Commission by removing the unnecessary ‘exceptional circumstances test’ the NACC must consider when deciding to hold a public hearing. "This would mean that the NACC can hold public hearings when it is in the public interest to do so," she said. "Unfortunately, the work of the NACC to date has been undertaken mostly behind closed doors. "We need more transparency to trust that it is doing its job properly." Previously an inspectors investigation report informed that across the complaints addressing the NACC's decision not to pursue an investigation into robodebt, there were expressions of profound disappointment, including the commissioner's conflict of interest. Other themes covered a lack of public accountability for former ministers and Australian Public Service employees.

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