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The Latest Breaking News from RoboDebt

Scott Morrison gives evidence at Robodebt royal commission — as it happened

Former prime minister Scott Morrison has appeared before the Robodebt royal commission and gave evidence about his time as social services minister and treasurer.

ABC News

Morning Mail: the story behind the Wieambilla shooters, Brittany Higgins settles claim, fusion ‘revolution’

In today’s newsletter: Queensland police have pledged to ‘get to the bottom’ of why the violence took place; former Liberal staffer has made a ‘confidential’ settlement with the commonwealth

The Guardian - AU

Scott Morrison in the spotlight: what will the former PM be asked at the robodebt royal commission?

Morrison is likely to be asked what he knew about the scheme when it was devised, why he was attracted to it – and what he did when it came under fire

The Guardian - AU

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Marise Payne tells Robodebt inquiry she doesn't know when need for legislative changes 'dropped off the radar'

Former Coalition minister Marise Payne tells the Robodebt inquiry the scheme's priority was to make sure the "right people" got the "right amounts".

ABC News

Robodebt inquiry, set to hear from Coalition members, hears Services Australia staff were alarmed about scheme

Ahead of Scott Morrison and Marise Payne appearing before the robodebt royal commission, the inquiry has heard Services Australia staff were "incensed" and "alarmed" about the scheme.

ABC News

ATO bureaucrat 'threatened to shut down' Robodebt scheme by requesting cease and desist on use of tax data, royal commission told

An ATO bureaucrat is asked about his threats to "shut down" the Robodebt scheme in 2017, by requesting a federal department cease and desist using tax office data.

ABC News

The Australian government had multiple chances to press ‘stop’ on robodebt – but didn’t

Legal advisers said again and again that the automated debt recovery scheme was unlawful. New evidence shows how the objections were overcome

The Guardian - AU

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Senior official denies ‘manipulating the truth’ to ombudsman over legality of robodebt scheme

DSS witness faces scrutiny at royal commission over involvement in robodebt plans and evidence given to watchdog’s 2017 investigation

The Guardian - AU

Senior public servant under scrutiny at robodebt inquiry appointed head of Aukus project office

Former head of Department of Human Services Kathryn Campbell has come under extensive questioning at the royal commission into robodebt

The Guardian - AU

Draft Robodebt proposal to Scott Morrison was a 'watering down' of legal advice

Emails between Department of Human Services and Department of Social Services officials showed the language around the Robodebt scheme had been softened.

The Canberra Times

Scott Morrison’s lawyers say his ‘reputation is on the line’ over robodebt royal commission testimony

Counsel for former PM says he should be able to refer to secret cabinet documents when giving evidence

The Guardian - AU

Officials given chance to ‘effectively co-write’ report into department’s handling of robodebt, inquiry told

Former manager at DHS testifies that it was ‘useful’ if the department which administered debt recovery scheme could ‘influence’ watchdog’s language

The Guardian - AU

Robodebt royal commission told Human Services staffers attempted to influence ombudsman report into troubled scheme

A bureaucrat who helped manage the Robodebt "crisis" in 2017 tells a royal commission it is "normal practice" for public servants to provide wording to independent statutory bodies investigating government programs.

ABC News

Robodebt officials 'co-wrote' vital report

Human Services department officials had the opportunity to contribute to a Commonwealth Ombudsman report

AAP

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The Guardian - AU

Morning Mail: Albanese talks trade with Xi, Trump poised to run, Russian missiles reportedly hit Poland

In today’s newsletter: PM’s meeting with Xi Jinping is first step to normalising relations, while misery continues for NSW residents hit by flooding

ABC News

The Robodebt royal commission has wrapped up for now. Here are some of the key takeaways

The Robodebt royal commission hears startling evidence with senior bureaucrats admitting they didn't follow legal advice, were too busy to raise concerns or didn't think it was their responsibility. Here's how the two weeks of hearings wrapped up.

AAP

'Lack of curiosity' over robodebt legality

A former senior public servant has admitted to a "lack of curiosity" over a legal advice related to the legality of the robodebt scheme.

ABC News

Finn Pratt confirmed Robodebt's lawfulness despite not taking legal advice, commission hears

The former Department of Social Services secretary signed a letter to the Commonwealth Ombudsman in 2017 saying the scheme was legal, despite not seeing any legal or policy advice or knowing how it worked, a royal commission hears.

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AAP

Robodebt 'stuff up' analysis 'spot on'

A former senior public servant says a judicial assessment of the failed robodebt program as a stuff up was spot on.

AAP

Public servant 'ashamed' about robodebt

An ex-deputy department secretary says she should have done more to stop the robodebt scheme from running as long as it did but she "lacked courage".

AAP

Robodebt rolled out despite pilot problems

Two senior public servants involved in the robodebt program have given evidence to the royal commission about how it was rolled out despite legal issues.

ABC News

Crossed-out phrase in a brief for Scott Morrison 'watered down' seriousness of potential Robodebt legal issues, inquiry hears

Warnings about legal and policy problems with the proposed Robodebt scheme were "watered down" in a brief being prepared for then social services minister Scott Morrison, according to evidence given to the Robodebt royal commission.

The Guardian - AU

‘A shameful chapter’: how Australia’s robodebt saga was allowed to unfold

Bombshell legal advice finally revealed this week was initially dismissed, discarded or overruled. The consequences for many have been tragic

AAP

Robodebt scheme told to 'cease and desist'

A royal commission into the illegal robodebt scheme was told the Australian Tax Office ordered the Department of Human Services to stop using taxpayer data.

The Conversation

The Robodebt scheme failed tests of lawfulness, impartiality, integrity and trust

The Robodebt royal commission is currently hearing evidence of tremendous hardship inflicted on people by a government that appeared to have little concern for the people its actions affected.

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