This story has been the product of months of work. I've been locked in an FOI battle with the Department of Human Services since August to force a public release of the email I was leaked and which stands at the heart of this story. /1
thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/…
thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/…
Their FOI legal team has so far used the finer points of administrative law to deny release of the document. One of their arguments against release has literally been that it may better inform the public of departmental processes. My application is under review by the OAIC. /2
Two weeks ago at the current senate inquiry Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes tried to language-police two lawyers for using the phrase 'Robodebt' on the basis it might stoke 'anxiety'. She questioned whether they even understood how the system worked. /3
In its original edition the automated algorithm that made up the Robodebt program churned out 20,000 debt notices a week. I was told the debts it identified were put 'on-pause' and were not meant to see the light of day. /4
But back in April it was left to run, in error, for five days before someone realised what was going on.
I wonder whether the Senator was told of the incident. /5
I wonder whether the Senator was told of the incident. /5
Getting the department to even acknowledge the events in April happened this week is something of a triumph. The most interesting part was their effort to spin the story. With the Senate inquiry on foot, they've been looking to project calm and ease. /6
The department seemed very concerned that I was publishing a 'case study' of someone who said their debt was among this batch of accidental Robodebts.
Apparently they're afraid it might cause some needless anxiety. /7
Apparently they're afraid it might cause some needless anxiety. /7
