First hearing block begins 31 October

Public hearings for the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme will resume in Brisbane from 10am on Monday 31 October 2022, with the first hearing block running until Friday 11 November 2022.  

The focus of this hearing block will be the establishment, design and implementation of the Robodebt Scheme.

The Commission intends to include the following matters:

  • The statutory framework in which the Robodebt Scheme was brought into existence and changes to that framework;
  • The development of the scheme as government policy;
  • The role of persons in positions of seniority and why the scheme was considered necessary or desirable and the advice and analysis upon which that view was formed;
  • The extent of planning and testing;
  • Whether advice was sought about the lawfulness of the scheme;
  • The role played by the Budget process in establishing the scheme and measures necessary for it to commence and continue;
  • The means of debt recovery including the use of debt collectors and commissions on amounts recovered;
  • The imposition of a 10 per cent penalty in addition to the calculated debts; and
  • How and at what point did the scheme become automated and how did the raising and recovery of debts differ from previous debt recovery processes undertaken by the relevant department.

This and future hearings will be held in the Presidential Ballroom, Pullman Hotel King George Square, corner Ann and Roma streets, Brisbane.

The hearings will be streamed live through the Royal Commission's website, with a video available shortly afterwards and a transcript available on the following day

Further information is available on the Robodebt Royal Commission website.

The witness list for the first hearing block will be available on the Commission's website prior to 31 October.

Practice guidelines

In preparation for these and future hearings, the Commission has published practice guidelines which set out information about the procedures for leave to appear and arrangements for witnesses.

Read or download the practice guidelines.

Make a submission

The Royal Commission is accepting submissions from members of the public. The online form for submissions is available on the Royal Commission website.

Submissions will be accepted until 3 February 2023.

Enquiries

For media enquiries, email RRC.media@royalcommission.gov.au or call 0499 972 876.

For general enquiries, email RRC.enquiries@royalcommission.gov.au.

Members of the public can also contact the Royal Commission by calling 1800 317 022, 9:00am to 5:00pm (in your timezone) Monday to Friday, excluding National Public Holidays and NSW recognised holidays.