The Meeting Place > Government & Centrelink > Federal Government fights to keep Robo-debt info secret

Federal Government fights to keep Robo-debt info secret

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Ben
2 yrs ago

The Federal Government is trying its hardest to block access to key Robo-debt documents to avoid potential embarrassment before an election next year.

The case to block access to the documents will be heard before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) on Thursday 2 December and Thursday 23 December.

The case centres on early business plans and other documents produced by the Department of Human Services – now known as Services Australia – to justify the rollout of the Robo-debt scheme.

These documents could reveal what Prime Minister Scott Morrison and senior ministers Christian Porter and Alan Tudge knew when they had responsibility for the program.

Justin Warren first requested access to the Robo-debt documents under Freedom of Information (FOI) laws in 2017.

In 2019 he secured a finding from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) for the documents to be released.

Services Australia appealed the OAIC’s decision, and the AAT first considered the appeal in June.

Services Australia subsequently applied to reopen its case and introduce new evidence from public servants. That evidence will be heard in this long running legal dispute on Thursday.

Do you think the government should reveal all the documents relating to the disastrous Robo-debt scheme? Why do you think they are trying so hard to keep them secret?

6 comments
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Tom Tank
2 yrs ago

Fear of the truth being revealed. This is the most secretive government I can remember yet they are spending taxpayers money.

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Bellbird
2 yrs ago

The level of secrecy from the coalition is apalling. The list is endless: they fight tooth and nail to stop taxpayers from discovering their incompetence and venality. Vote them out. 

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gibbo111
2 yrs ago

This would have to be the most secretive government Australia has ever had. Wish they would stop spending so much time and money trying to keep so much unavailable to public scrutiny. The only conclusion is that they have something to hide. Maybe Morrision is worried more of his lies will be exposed. Also lies of his " christian" mate Stuart Robert. This mob have got to go

 

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Horace Cope
2 yrs ago

So far as I know, we are not included in the Robo-debt scheme but if we were, I would not want our details to be made available as a public document. Who is Justin Warren and what does he want to be released and why is my first thought. All government departments have a duty of care when it comes to releasing personal information and a mere request to FOI doesn't mean that all information can be released without heavy redacting.

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johninmelb
2 yrs ago

The FOI request is NOT about revealing people's names.  No-one wants to know if Horace Cope has been a naughty boy.  Not relevant.  The victims of this scheme need to be heard at a Royal Commission, but that's never going to happen.

It is seeking documents regarding the discussions, planning and implementation of the scheme.  It's about who knew what and when.  It's about whether it was legal or illegal from the get-go and who authorised it to go ahead.  

Try reading the article first before commenting.  Nowhere does it mention anything about people's personal details, which as a matter of courses would never be released by government.  That would be electoral suicide on a grand scale.  However, there is the problem of hackers as we all know.  Different kettle of fish entirely.  

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ronloby
2 yrs ago

They will never release all data relating to Robo Debt because Morrison and the gang don't want to be held accountable for the stress and hurt it has caused. Come on election time!! 

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Karl Marx
2 yrs ago

And suicides because of robodebt

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bobm
2 yrs ago

Strange when the requirements by Robo debt is the "so called debt person" is required to provide financial interest going back approx 10 years with the hope of clearing their name of the debt.

 The other hand the Australian Taxation Act requires all taxpayers to hold their tax information for only 7 years.

Go figure why Robo debt wants to go back 10 years, to make it difficult to prove who is correct. You have followed the ATO requirements so why not Centrelink is required the same 7 years?????

Who made the mistake. I have said it many times make sure you get a copy of any documentation or contact info from Centrelink. Forget going on the phone if possible, visit the Centrelink Office and face to face with an Officer.

This will allow two things.

You made a mistake and can be liable for a debt or Centrelink made a mistake and you can prove they stuffed it up. The copy of what was placed on your file each time will save you in later years. Yes, it is annoying to have to visit Centrelink

Cover your backside at all times

6 comments



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