Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #RoboDebt
Most recents (24)
I have only just now seen among the #robodebtrc docs what's IMO a smoking gun linking the Poniatowska/Keating decisions to the origin of #robodebt. In March 2015, Withnell arranged for a letter to be signed by Campbell addressed to Bromwich J, then the Dir of the CDPP, ...
... spelling out their concerns. A concern was that CDPP policy had changes so that the CDPP now refused to prosecute on the basis of 'short-form briefs' from DHS, whereas they used to accept such briefs. (The CDPP refusal was based on the fact those briefs were insufficient ...
... at law following the Poniatowska and Keating decisions.) The letter shows that Withnell was intent to ensure that the CDPP continued to prosecute and even provided a reminder that the CDPP's funding was 'tied to the volume of briefs received per referring agency.' 
good morningšhappy Sunday! Today on #Insiders are ABC radio host Patricia Karvelas, 9fax columnist Sean Kelly and AFR senior corro Jacob Gerber. The interview is with shadow treasurer Angus Taylor.
opening spiel: budgets are about choices. Speers says, as he did last week, that we will find out about Labor Party priorities on budget night. Labor wants to do it all, he says, which is not true. #Insiders
budget editorialising. Surplus v structural deficit. The tax change on gas production, which I missed. Is this a montage? Karvelas voice over, Chalmers jogging. Gallagher saying strong a lot. Hume posturing. Lowe on inflation. #Insiders
So letās talk about this, because @billshortenmp is talking about it at the National Press Club today and Bill is nothing if not a cunning bastard (thatās a compliment, Bill). And listen hard, because this has to do with #Robodebt & #RoboNDIS.
amp.theguardian.com/australia-newsā¦
And THIS.
amp.theguardian.com/australia-newsā¦
And THIS.
2/ Your first two questions should be this: why are the architects of Robodebt, Scott Britton and Jason Ryman, still employed within fraud and compliance at the Ndia? And what did they do there?
Your second, whatās intended next? #auspol
Your second, whatās intended next? #auspol
3/ There are reasons I do conservative media (outside personal relationships) to do with echo chambers and ensuring accurate info is disseminated. And there is no way 20% of NDIS funding is lost to fraud. teamdsc.com.au/resources/haveā¦
Sorry, Mr Phelan. Show us the evidence. #auspol
Sorry, Mr Phelan. Show us the evidence. #auspol
Did you catch the latest @CroakeyNews e-bulletin with a focus on unhealthy policies?
If not, no worries, here's a thread on this week's readings.
You can also subscribe to receive the e-bulletin every Thursday morning
croakey.org/subscribe-to-cā¦
If not, no worries, here's a thread on this week's readings.
You can also subscribe to receive the e-bulletin every Thursday morning
croakey.org/subscribe-to-cā¦
Don't miss this article on #RoboDebtRC in which this week's quotable comes from:
"The Robodebt debacle was the very opposite of healthy public policy ā it was extraordinarily unhealthy public policy" ā @baumfran
#AusPol
croakey.org/robodebt-exposā¦
"The Robodebt debacle was the very opposite of healthy public policy ā it was extraordinarily unhealthy public policy" ā @baumfran
#AusPol
croakey.org/robodebt-exposā¦
Also with comments from
@SharonFrielOz ā "disempowerment is incredibly bad for peopleās health"
@joanne_flavel ā "#Robodebt was the antithesis of the purpose of income support"
#auspol
croakey.org/robodebt-exposā¦
@SharonFrielOz ā "disempowerment is incredibly bad for peopleās health"
@joanne_flavel ā "#Robodebt was the antithesis of the purpose of income support"
#auspol
croakey.org/robodebt-exposā¦
John Howardās architect of current public service rules and culture, turning it into āideological office familyā was āMax the Axeā Moore-Wilton. Later, following the suicide of nurse Saldana after prank call from radio station of which he was chair, said āshit happensā. #auspol
The late Paul Barrett who was highly respected was a victim of āMax the Axeā rules. As Sec of Defence, he fell out with Minister and was sacked. He claimed unfair dismissal and lost. Hopefully @KarenMMiddleton will do expose of how public service became like it is today. #auspol
Howard appointed Moore-Wilton in 1996. Immediately he sacked 11,000 public servants, 6 Departmental heads and aggressively outsourced Govt services. This is how big four were brought in to āinformā Govt policy @MichaelWestBiz This is why public service became Ministerial service.
this was the exact period leading up to calling the 2016 election when the prime minister and treasurer gave *different dates for the actual federal budget* because Morrison was sweating on #Robodebt numbers to give journalists - who obliged - for the Liberal Party campaign.
the role of the press gallery in enabling #Robodebt cannot be overstated. Every day for years they uncritically amplified whatever Morrison said, repeated Liberal Party economic management lies, and openly admired his endless campaigning.
this is who and what corporate media campaigned for in 2016, 2019, and AGAIN 10 months ago, in May 2022.
NOW they express *astonishment* at the details of his lethal multi billion dollar program being painstakingly evidenced at #RobodebtRC
imatthewsblog.com/2022/05/20/votā¦
NOW they express *astonishment* at the details of his lethal multi billion dollar program being painstakingly evidenced at #RobodebtRC
imatthewsblog.com/2022/05/20/votā¦
Here's the stream. Angus Scott KC explaining a former Ombudsman, McMillan, has produced a statement for them this week:
#RobodebtRC
robodebt.royalcommission.gov.au
#RobodebtRC
robodebt.royalcommission.gov.au
Ombudsman time.
Richard Glenn is first. He is affirmed.
The acting Ombo who Louise McLeod says she couldn't convince to do anything about Robodebt.
He has a law degree. Let's see if he knows how to use it.
#RobodebtRC
Richard Glenn is first. He is affirmed.
The acting Ombo who Louise McLeod says she couldn't convince to do anything about Robodebt.
He has a law degree. Let's see if he knows how to use it.
#RobodebtRC
#RobodebtRC Block 4 Day 13. Capture.
"... business rules in the OCI that support the debt calculation are comprehensive and accurately capture the legislative and policy requirements"
The Ombudsman. 2017. [2.28]
How far we have come from this milk carton ad from 1982.
"... business rules in the OCI that support the debt calculation are comprehensive and accurately capture the legislative and policy requirements"
The Ombudsman. 2017. [2.28]
How far we have come from this milk carton ad from 1982.
It's likely my tweets are going to devolve into 'cranky guy on a park bench' today. The exhibits haven't improved my mood any, cos it isn't just *that* report. It's the issues of interest request, the quarterly liaison meetings. So. many. chances. to. do. something. #RobodebtRC
Best hope are direct exchanges around the drivers here. In the week FOI Commish resigned (tiny media coverage), let's stare at the reality of oversight work. The tied funding, the death of own inquiry, the 'we influence agencies', the 'we are not a policy agency' #robodebtRC
[A Thread] My observations on @TurnbullMalcolm at the #RobodebtRC: Turnbull as PM proved to be completely spineless as Party leader and National leader. He was probably Australia's most disappointing PM. Because he lacked courage. #auspol 1/5
Leaders need courage. They need to do the right thing, even if it is not the popular thing, and that takes courage. Ask @DanielAndrewsMP - he has courage in spades and used every bit of it during the pandemic. #RobodebtRC #auspol 2/5
The first real public glimpse of Turnbull's invertebrate nature was seen when he stood on stage with @HonTonyAbbott announcing the destruction of the #FTTP #NBN. His body language said he knew this was wrong, but had to follow orders. #RobodebtRC #auspol 3/5
ABC TV news channel has crossed love to Turnbull at the #RobodebtRC
Turnbull starts by talking about himself as prime minister and having a dig at āothersā who sought to run the government out of the PMO.
we hear that Arthur Sinodinos and Drew Clarke - cabinet Secretary and COS - are very distinguished and experienced. No connection from this to why the unlawful program being investigated was allowed to continue so long on their watch.
good morningāļøhappy Sunday! On #Insiders today are Saturday Paper senior corro Karen Middleton, ABC radio host Patricia Karvelas, and 9fax (AFR) corro Jacob Greber. The interview is with shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor.
opening spiel: āa super rowā great here we go. Yet more public time on those 88K multimillionaires. Speers says the āsales pitch was messyā - thanks, newsroom bosses for prioritising millionaires - and āthe opposition went into overdriveā. #Insiders
the montage, like all the coverage of this miniscule section of the population - all multimillionaires - is about building a Br0KEn Pr0miSeS narrative on behalf of wealthy tories. #Insiders
Former Minister Stuart Robert is before the #Robodebt RC today, and I'll be tuning in and sharing key points with you.
Mr Robert says only 10% of people who were contacted by Centrelink regarding debt notices "engaged" with the Dept.
Mr Robert says that shortly after becoming Govt Services Minister in 2019 he raised concerns about debt raising through ATO data alone and asked for "further information"
regular reminder that these fabricated on-paper billions were a *political* imperative. Robodebt cost billions of public dollars more than any headlined projected revenue. There was no actual fiscal āneedā. The program was Coalition āeconomic managementā campaign messaging.
the Canberra press gallery and their corporate media bosses are an essential element of Coalition campaign lies. The illegality of #Robodebt was well established by the time #ausmedia swung in behind Morrison in May 2019.
even after the hardship and deaths were grudgingly conceded and the multi billion dollar fiscal costs were published, corporate media rallied for franking boomers and Coalition economic management lies and saddled us with Scott fucking six ministries Morrison for 3 more years.
There it is. Former DHS secretary Renee Leon said she and 4 other Dept secretaries were sacked by Morrison Govt after the 2019 election because they believed in āfrank and fearless adviceā.
#Robotdebt
#Robotdebt
23. This @lukehgomes 2019
gets it a little wrong - Govt decided to #Robotdebt aged pensioners from the start, put those savings into forward estimates, then exempted aged pensioners. Fiscal corruption, yes?
https://t.co/3rVQvQShCbamp.theguardian.com/australia-newsā¦
gets it a little wrong - Govt decided to #Robotdebt aged pensioners from the start, put those savings into forward estimates, then exempted aged pensioners. Fiscal corruption, yes?
https://t.co/3rVQvQShCbamp.theguardian.com/australia-newsā¦
24. Stuart Robertās admits Coalition Govt decided in 2016 to subject aged pensioners to #Robotdebt. saving #600 mill.
Now Dutton opposes rich retirees losing a portion of huge tax concessions for income from super balances of more than $3 million. saving $2 bill
Says it all.
Now Dutton opposes rich retirees losing a portion of huge tax concessions for income from super balances of more than $3 million. saving $2 bill
Says it all.
Block 4 day 6. #RobodebtRC deepening seriousness last week - one shouldnāt just focus on āpolitician daysā. A portrait of bureaucratic actions in the shadow of a political vibe. In any dept only a tiny fraction of matters are directed by a minister, but 100% can be life changing
Today will probe the January 2017 window. you have staff acting in positions handing others printed out draft legals, saying we need external advice. How does it stall? & Greggery tabled another lawyer coming out against averaging in this window to start the block. #RobodebtRC
Term starts today - Iāll be teaching seminars this morning so coverage may be spotty. Will be more fully on deck in the afternoon for two Tudge staffers who were extremely hands on during the 2017 outcry. #RobodebtRC
#RobodebtRC Block 4 Day 5. In the end, it all came down to just $92.06. By garnisheeing Ms Amato, the government incurred interest. That $92 dollars amongst billions, the hero who asked for it back, produced an accountability could not be raptured or evaded. She&VLA speak today
might be tweeting at lower tempo today due to massive work email. And ironically, paper proposals are dur by 5pm for what everyone watching #RobodebtRC know is the *event* of the year:
The National Administrative Law Conference
Iām currently without a proposalā¦ #RobodebtRC
The National Administrative Law Conference
Iām currently without a proposalā¦ #RobodebtRC
We will also hear from Mr Withnell. There are interesting insights into the decision to launch the OCI September 2016 in his supplementary statement. Evidence that he refused to sign the brief for the decision, due to his concerns. #RobodebtRC
#RobodebtRC Matthew Roser, former DHS General Counsel, says he ācanāt recallā exactly when he became aware of a spike in adverse media reports on the legalities of #Robodebt & ācanāt recallā if it occurred to him that he should be checking on its lawfulness. š³ #IRemember
āItās not something that I specifically focused onā
āI was certainly not aware of any issues or concernsā
āNot that I recallā
āI canāt recallā
Commissioner starts to grill now on āBest available evidenceā that the Dept used when they werenāt even using the best avail evidence
āI was certainly not aware of any issues or concernsā
āNot that I recallā
āI canāt recallā
Commissioner starts to grill now on āBest available evidenceā that the Dept used when they werenāt even using the best avail evidence
Roser trying to justify using best available evidence when there is āno regard to what it actually provesā (Commissionerās words).
Roser has no real answer.
Roser has no real answer.
#RoboDebtRC Paul Menzies-McVey, former Chief Counsel, tells the commission he doesnāt recall the significance of the mediaās interest into the lawfulness of #RoboDebt š³
Now being asked about the Ombudsmanās investigation which he was engaged in, ā¦Nopeā¦doesnāt recall a damn thing.
Greggery then asks about Senate Enquiries, Nup, no recollection.
He also covered Musolino for a period (I think while she was on leave), says he canāt recall much
Greggery then asks about Senate Enquiries, Nup, no recollection.
He also covered Musolino for a period (I think while she was on leave), says he canāt recall much
Now being asked about the 2018 Clayton Utz legal advice,
Menzies-McVey concedes he was aware of this advice. Is asked if he was surprised when he saw it (believe it is in 2019)
āI wasā
āI remember (being) given access to itā says he was surprised the advice was in draft form.
Menzies-McVey concedes he was aware of this advice. Is asked if he was surprised when he saw it (believe it is in 2019)
āI wasā
āI remember (being) given access to itā says he was surprised the advice was in draft form.
good morningāļøhappy Sunday! Today on #Insiders the interview is with Cobble Cobble Professor Megan Davis. The panel is ABC referendum corro Dan Bourchier, 9fax (Age/smh) politics corro David Crowe, and 9fax (AFR) columnist Jennifer Hewitt.
opening spiel: the ābig ambitionā of the Albanese government. Fixing the health system, submarines, referendum. The No campaign is āgrabbing attentionā - a newsroom choice - says Speers. #Insiders
summary editorialising (āhereās where we areā) is a hotch potch of federal referendum and one local town. The montage is also about Mparntwe. Dutton gets a run, lying about the usual rank disunity in the Liberal Party room. #Insiders
Annette Musolino, whose role in DHS at the time of #Robodebt was to advise the relevant Minister of Legal issues, in the hot seat for a full day of questioning tomorrow, and some more on Tuesday.
#RobodebtRC š„š„š„
#RobodebtRC š„š„š„
She was meant to appear in the first hearing block but failed to prepare her statement in time.
I recall, I believe in a Senate inquiry a few years ago, she defended Robodebt & denied linking suicides with the scheme. š”
She also played a role on AAT decisions re Robodebt.
I recall, I believe in a Senate inquiry a few years ago, she defended Robodebt & denied linking suicides with the scheme. š”
She also played a role on AAT decisions re Robodebt.
Wonder what Musolino is dreaming about tonight?
Bottom line: I turn 68 this year. Should I seek to return to the Australian Public Service to help with reform. A mentoring and āHeretic in Residence type roleā. Moral disengagement, open government and discussing undiscussables focus? #APSreform #auspol
Detailed thread š
Detailed thread š
A culture of intimidation to enable the weaponisation of the law. Servility to corporate silos is demanded. Enables unethical behaviours and practices. Bad for staff and the public.
This is an APS wide problem across a range of critical corporate functions. #APSreform #auspol
This is an APS wide problem across a range of critical corporate functions. #APSreform #auspol
A consequence of the death of frank and fearless advice.
Autocratic demands for blind compliance are endemic. That has been driven by autocratic politicians. Senior officials and aspiring senior official soon learn what is expected. Staff learn to shut up. #APSreform #auspol
Autocratic demands for blind compliance are endemic. That has been driven by autocratic politicians. Senior officials and aspiring senior official soon learn what is expected. Staff learn to shut up. #APSreform #auspol
In theā90s I received social support as a single mum for the first time ever. I was studying &doing contract work.
I informed Cālink that I wasnāt eligible for Austudy but they paid it anyway. I put it in a separate account til the day they asked for it back using threatening ->
I informed Cālink that I wasnāt eligible for Austudy but they paid it anyway. I put it in a separate account til the day they asked for it back using threatening ->
-> letters that implied Iād knowingly defrauded them. The language of the letters was traumatising, but I had informed them TWICE &they had told me I was wrong, so I knew the fault was theirs. The sum they tried to extract was more than they had overpaid ->
-> I knew bcs I had the money, untouched, waiting to be returned. They didnāt like that but accepted it.
Then they began a new course of harassment, more letters demanding payment of the money already returned. I had a lawyer send a cease&desist letter.
Then they began a new course of harassment, more letters demanding payment of the money already returned. I had a lawyer send a cease&desist letter.
#RobodebtRC One of the early findings was that DHS made a decision that those who donāt respond to their initial Centrelink Debt notice, regardless of the reason, would be deemed as being
āSatisfied with the informationā
& that the Debt was Accurate. 1/2
āSatisfied with the informationā
& that the Debt was Accurate. 1/2
Former DHS Manager Scott Britton tried to excuse this as only being part of a āpilotā
Angus Scott KC not satisfied, forces him to concede it was used as part of their illegal #Robodebt program where they assumed anyone who doesnāt respond, accepts the illegal debt. 2/2
Angus Scott KC not satisfied, forces him to concede it was used as part of their illegal #Robodebt program where they assumed anyone who doesnāt respond, accepts the illegal debt. 2/2
They did run a Pilot, but it went ahead & used in Robodebt.
Within that Pilot, Britton admits they pressed ahead with this method of assuming Debt was accurate, without even a ph call & that 58%, yes, 58% of those they sent letters in pilot, didnāt respond. They still went ahead
Within that Pilot, Britton admits they pressed ahead with this method of assuming Debt was accurate, without even a ph call & that 58%, yes, 58% of those they sent letters in pilot, didnāt respond. They still went ahead
Principle Lawyer for Morrisonās Dept who Provided the Legal Advice for #RoboDebt , Has NO recollection, Not even of the heightened media interest š¤Ø
Shocking recollection for a lawyer.
Still, Greggery KC used his elegance to yield out the answers. š
#RoboDebtRC [1/2]
Shocking recollection for a lawyer.
Still, Greggery KC used his elegance to yield out the answers. š
#RoboDebtRC [1/2]
Anne Pulford also claims to not even recall seeing government ministers making press conferences in response to high media attention.
Ya gotta be kidding me?
Who would you pick as your lawyer? Iāll take Mr Greggery thanks.
#RobodebtRC [2/2]
Ya gotta be kidding me?
Who would you pick as your lawyer? Iāll take Mr Greggery thanks.
#RobodebtRC [2/2]
This is a principle DSS lawyer who wrote legal advice specifically on Robodebt, MULTIPLE times. Iām afraid further vids Iāll release (eventually) on Pulford are even more alarming, but we will get to that
The point of these videos tho is to emphasise the terrible recollectionā¦
The point of these videos tho is to emphasise the terrible recollectionā¦
