Former ombudsman's office official Louise Macleod appears genuinely angry and shocked when shown some of the legal material DHS didn't provide to the watchdog during its 2017 investigation. Includes an email a DHS lawyer sent saying income averaging was a no go #robodebtrc
Macleod: "To be honest, it annoys the hell out of me... That demonstrates ... they weren't participating in good faith."
My god.
"I could drive a truck through the holes in this advice." - Ombudsman's official's view on the department's robodebt legal advice.
Holmes says that's a sound sentiment. Scott laughs. Macleod very uneasy
"I could drive a truck through the holes in this advice." - Ombudsman's official's view on the department's robodebt legal advice.
Holmes says that's a sound sentiment. Scott laughs. Macleod very uneasy
"You could drive a convoy through that rationalisation." Holmes on the 2017 DSS advice - and the department's explaining away of the 2014 advice that said robodebt was a no go 
Obvious, shameful failings of the ombudsman's office aside (and yes, a big caveat), at least Macleod appears to be genuinely reflecting on these mistakes while giving evidence. That's not been the norm
OK here it. The draft of the report contained clear language that averaged debts would be inaccurate. But the final report didn't include that strong language. Macleod says they tried to convince the acting ombudsman, Richard Glenn, and he disagreed.
Christ - the draft report included a line saying averaging hadn't been tested in the courts and should be. Nixed by the acting ombudsman
Ombudsman's office investigator Louise Macleod is breaks down as she is shown DHS emails showing an averaging rate of 76%. Those emails weren't provided to the ombudsman for the investigation. Short break while she composes herself
DHS said they didn't have the data...
Holmes asks why she has such an emotional response to finding out "a lot of stuff" today.
Macleod: "I suppose I feel like a failure."
Holmes - why should you feel like a failure, you clearly raised a lot of issues that weren't taken up?
Macleod: "I couldn't convince others."
Macleod: "I suppose I feel like a failure."
Holmes - why should you feel like a failure, you clearly raised a lot of issues that weren't taken up?
Macleod: "I couldn't convince others."
Holmes: "I've spent much of my life not being able to convince others of things I feel very strongly about. So you're not unique there."
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