Robodebt Royal Commission Day 30 - 2 February 2023

TL;DR

In a commission hearing, questions are raised about the legality of the Online Compliance Intervention (OCI) program and whether sufficient investigations were conducted to address potential systemic issues and suicides associated with the program.

Transcript

thank you foreign is now in session please be seated yes Mr Gregory yes we've got Mr Touchback uh the appearance is the same you now have a junior do you Mr Solomon not withstanding by assistance that I needed to turn the microphone on I failed to well that's what the junior is for you can rest assured I'll let him know with Mr Jeffries I appear th... Read More

Key Insights

• The individual being questioned was not aware of the request for an investigation into matters involving suicides related to the receipt of letters under the scheme.
• The individual does not recall being given written material or a verbal briefing regarding a specific matter related to suicides and the scheme.
• The individual believes that investigations are important in identifying systemic issues and addressing distress caused by the welfare compliance scheme.
• The concept of a standing direction to investigate matters of suicide was not mentioned or discussed in relation to the scheme.
• The individual does not recall any reason why an investigation would not have been requested for the specific matter discussed.
• The individual believes that investigations into suicides related to the scheme would have focused on systemic issues rather than personal circumstances.
• The individual acknowledges that suicides connected to the scheme would have been a cause for concern and regrets not having more discussion or information regarding these cases.
• The individual states that investigations were conducted previously in response to suicides and distress caused by the scheme, regardless of media attention or external pressure.

Questions & Answers

Q: Was the Minister aware of the potential legal issues surrounding the OCI program before its implementation?

The Minister acknowledges that while he was aware of potential legal issues surrounding the OCI program, he believed that the program was lawful and focused on addressing implementation issues rather than the legality of specific aspects of the program.

Q: Were investigations conducted to address potential systemic issues and suicides associated with the OCI program?

The Minister acknowledges that investigations were conducted in the past and requests may have been made for investigations into suicides associated with the program, but he does not recall receiving written material about these investigations.

Q: Was the Minister provided with legal advice regarding the legality of the OCI program?

The Minister does not recall receiving specific legal advice about the legality of the OCI program, but maintains that the program was implemented with the belief that it was lawful.

Q: What steps did the Minister take to ensure that the OCI program complied with legal requirements?

The Minister focused on addressing implementation issues and ensuring that investigations were conducted when necessary, but does not recall specific steps taken to ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Q: Did the Minister take into account the concerns raised by the media and stakeholders about the legality of the OCI program?

The Minister acknowledges that concerns were raised by the media and stakeholders about the legality of the OCI program, but believed that the program was lawful and focused on addressing implementation issues rather than the legality of specific aspects of the program.

Q: Did the Minister consult with legal experts or seek external legal advice regarding the legality of the OCI program?

The Minister does not recall seeking external legal advice or consulting with legal experts regarding the legality of the OCI program, but believed that the program was lawful based on the information available at the time.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The hearing raises questions about the legality of the OCI program and whether investigations were conducted to address potential systemic issues and suicides associated with the program.

• The Minister does not recall being provided with written material about investigations into suicides associated with the program, but acknowledges that investigations were conducted in the past.

• The Minister maintains that the program was implemented with the belief that it was lawful and focused on addressing implementation issues rather than the legality of income averaging and other aspects of the program.