It's been a tumultuous few months, to say the least, for those embroiled in the Robodebt scandal.

The incident, which saw thousands of Australians targeted by the 'unlawful' income averaging scheme, has sparked one of the most heated conversations about inequality and justice in our nation's recent history.

In the wake of the Royal Commission into the issue, one high-ranking official has stepped down from her role at the centre of the scandal: Kathryn Campbell, who headed up the Department of Human Services at the time of the scheme's introduction.

Her resignation from her job was confirmed this week, just three days after the commission's findings into the Robodebt scandal were presented in a three-volume document totalling 900 pages.

Ms Campbell's resignation comes after a royal commission into the illegal Robodebt scheme her department oversaw. Credit: Shutterstock.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Royal Commission findings were 'very clear about failings' and confirmed Ms Campbell had been suspended without pay and left her job as an adviser on AUKUS.

During her time as the Head of Human Services, Ms Campbell was responsible for implementing a scheme that forced struggling Australians to repay money they didn't actually owe. This had severe consequences, causing financial hardship for many individuals.

The commission's investigation was critical of Ms Campbell's role in the scandal, as it revealed her involvement in the problematic implementation of the scheme.

'Ms Campbell had been responsible for a department that had established, implemented and maintained an unlawful program,' the Royal Commission report said.

'When exposed to information that brought to light the illegality of income averaging, she did nothing of substance. When presented with opportunities to obtain advice on the lawfulness of that practice, she failed to act.'

The federal Labor government then discreetly transferred Ms Campbell from her position as the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the AUKUS role. In this new role, she received an annual salary of approximately $900,000.

When grilled on the appointment during a Senate Estimates inquiry, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the evidence presented throughout the Royal Commission proceedings went 'beyond what [she] anticipated'.

Credit: ABC News (Australia).​

On the other hand, Ms Campbell, despite facing damning evidence against her, denied intentionally misleading the government during the same inquiry.

'I have never been in a department that sought to mislead. And I have never been involved in an operation that has sought to mislead the government,' she said.

In a statement posted to its website, the Department of Defence said: 'Defence can confirm it has accepted Ms Kathryn Campbell's resignation from the Department with effect from Friday 21 July 2023.'

'Defence will not provide further comment on this matter.'

However, when asked about it, Minister for Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh, stated that he couldn't confirm it at that moment. He also emphasised that the public's attention regarding the illegal scheme should be directed towards the former government, putting the responsibility on them.

'When we look at the entire Robodebt scandal and the royal commission and the findings that it handed down, the critical focus here needs to be the failure at the level of government, the ministers that were responsible, their failures to keep their own cabinet colleagues apprised of exactly how this program was operating,' he said.

'That was a failure by the ministers, it was a failure by the last government, and that is where the focus of the report and people's focus on how that all unfolded needs to be.'

Key Takeaways

• Senior public servant Kathryn Campbell has resigned from her $900,000-a-year job following the fallout from the Robodebt scandal.
• Ms Campbell formerly held a significant role in the Department of Human Services, she had been suspended without pay after the royal commission findings pointed out serious failings.
• Kathryn Campbell was later appointed as an advisor on AUKUS in the Department of Defence, from which she resigned following the public backlash after the royal commission.
• The royal commission report criticised Ms Campbell for repeatedly failing to act on the flaws of the illegal income averaging scheme that she had a significant role overseeing. She denied any intention to mislead the government during her questioning at the royal commission.

Although we understand that resolving the Robodebt scandal won't happen overnight, we are eagerly awaiting the outcomes that the task force will bring to light. Our hope is that justice will be served, and those who have suffered unjust consequences will receive the help they deserve.

Members, we would love to hear your thoughts on this news story. Please share your opinions with us in the comments section below.

 

[Zemo]

Ah, yes ... I wonder how she's viewing the world from the top of her retirement/superannuation package?

 

[Marino]

It's been a tumultuous few months, to say the least, for those embroiled in the Robodebt scandal.

The incident, which saw thousands of Australians targeted by the 'unlawful' income averaging scheme, has sparked one of the most heated conversations about inequality and justice in our nation's recent history.

In the wake of the Royal Commission into the issue, one high-ranking official has stepped down from her role at the centre of the scandal: Kathryn Campbell, who headed up the Department of Human Services at the time of the scheme's introduction.

Her resignation from her job was confirmed this week, just three days after the commission's findings into the Robodebt scandal were presented in a three-volume document totalling 900 pages.

View attachment 25884

Ms Campbell's resignation comes after a royal commission into the illegal Robodebt scheme her department oversaw. Credit: Shutterstock.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Royal Commission findings were 'very clear about failings' and confirmed Ms Campbell had been suspended without pay and left her job as an adviser on AUKUS.

During her time as the Head of Human Services, Ms Campbell was responsible for implementing a scheme that forced struggling Australians to repay money they didn't actually owe. This had severe consequences, causing financial hardship for many individuals.

The commission's investigation was critical of Ms Campbell's role in the scandal, as it revealed her involvement in the problematic implementation of the scheme.

'Ms Campbell had been responsible for a department that had established, implemented and maintained an unlawful program,' the Royal Commission report said.

'When exposed to information that brought to light the illegality of income averaging, she did nothing of substance. When presented with opportunities to obtain advice on the lawfulness of that practice, she failed to act.'

The federal Labor government then discreetly transferred Ms Campbell from her position as the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the AUKUS role. In this new role, she received an annual salary of approximately $900,000.

When grilled on the appointment during a Senate Estimates inquiry, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the evidence presented throughout the Royal Commission proceedings went 'beyond what [she] anticipated'.

Credit: ABC News (Australia).​

On the other hand, Ms Campbell, despite facing damning evidence against her, denied intentionally misleading the government during the same inquiry.

'I have never been in a department that sought to mislead. And I have never been involved in an operation that has sought to mislead the government,' she said.

In a statement posted to its website, the Department of Defence said: 'Defence can confirm it has accepted Ms Kathryn Campbell's resignation from the Department with effect from Friday 21 July 2023.'

'Defence will not provide further comment on this matter.'

However, when asked about it, Minister for Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh, stated that he couldn't confirm it at that moment. He also emphasised that the public's attention regarding the illegal scheme should be directed towards the former government, putting the responsibility on them.

'When we look at the entire Robodebt scandal and the royal commission and the findings that it handed down, the critical focus here needs to be the failure at the level of government, the ministers that were responsible, their failures to keep their own cabinet colleagues apprised of exactly how this program was operating,' he said.

'That was a failure by the ministers, it was a failure by the last government, and that is where the focus of the report and people's focus on how that all unfolded needs to be.'

Key Takeaways

• Senior public servant Kathryn Campbell has resigned from her $900,000-a-year job following the fallout from the Robodebt scandal.
• Ms Campbell formerly held a significant role in the Department of Human Services, she had been suspended without pay after the royal commission findings pointed out serious failings.
• Kathryn Campbell was later appointed as an advisor on AUKUS in the Department of Defence, from which she resigned following the public backlash after the royal commission.
• The royal commission report criticised Ms Campbell for repeatedly failing to act on the flaws of the illegal income averaging scheme that she had a significant role overseeing. She denied any intention to mislead the government during her questioning at the royal commission.

Although we understand that resolving the Robodebt scandal won't happen overnight, we are eagerly awaiting the outcomes that the task force will bring to light. Our hope is that justice will be served, and those who have suffered unjust consequences will receive the help they deserve.

Members, we would love to hear your thoughts on this news story. Please share your opinions with us in the comments section below.

Will there be criminal charges? Will she be quietly moved to another high paying job? We must see justice. She acted as a bully to anyone who tried to complain about Robodebt.

 

[darrellh]

She's not the only person responsible though. Widen the net and name them all and be done with it!

 

[Zemo]

No

She's not the only person responsible though. Widen the net and name them all and be done with it!

Not just name them -- bring them to the courts. If it's acknowledged that the scheme was illegal, then bloody do something about it!

 

[Gsr]

Everyone who was involved should be sacked from whatever job they hold now, no entitlements given and thrown in gaol . No legal aid if prosecuted like a lot of these wealthy people seem to access even if they can afford to pay.

 

[Marino]

I see Senator Roberts has already jumped ship.

 

[kallen]

People DIED from suicide because of this policy. Resigned or not, she is not freebof the guilt. Tudge, Scomo and the likes of her, at the very least; should be facing manslaughter charges. The families involved should be awarded victims compensation and also reimbursed for funeral costs. The Indue card should be next on the list. How can the Liberals be surprised they were voted out when they institute domestic terrorism on the most vulnerable people in the country?

 

[NotNats]

It's been a tumultuous few months, to say the least, for those embroiled in the Robodebt scandal.

The incident, which saw thousands of Australians targeted by the 'unlawful' income averaging scheme, has sparked one of the most heated conversations about inequality and justice in our nation's recent history.

In the wake of the Royal Commission into the issue, one high-ranking official has stepped down from her role at the centre of the scandal: Kathryn Campbell, who headed up the Department of Human Services at the time of the scheme's introduction.

Her resignation from her job was confirmed this week, just three days after the commission's findings into the Robodebt scandal were presented in a three-volume document totalling 900 pages.

View attachment 25884

Ms Campbell's resignation comes after a royal commission into the illegal Robodebt scheme her department oversaw. Credit: Shutterstock.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Royal Commission findings were 'very clear about failings' and confirmed Ms Campbell had been suspended without pay and left her job as an adviser on AUKUS.

During her time as the Head of Human Services, Ms Campbell was responsible for implementing a scheme that forced struggling Australians to repay money they didn't actually owe. This had severe consequences, causing financial hardship for many individuals.

The commission's investigation was critical of Ms Campbell's role in the scandal, as it revealed her involvement in the problematic implementation of the scheme.

'Ms Campbell had been responsible for a department that had established, implemented and maintained an unlawful program,' the Royal Commission report said.

'When exposed to information that brought to light the illegality of income averaging, she did nothing of substance. When presented with opportunities to obtain advice on the lawfulness of that practice, she failed to act.'

The federal Labor government then discreetly transferred Ms Campbell from her position as the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the AUKUS role. In this new role, she received an annual salary of approximately $900,000.

When grilled on the appointment during a Senate Estimates inquiry, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the evidence presented throughout the Royal Commission proceedings went 'beyond what [she] anticipated'.

Credit: ABC News (Australia).​

On the other hand, Ms Campbell, despite facing damning evidence against her, denied intentionally misleading the government during the same inquiry.

'I have never been in a department that sought to mislead. And I have never been involved in an operation that has sought to mislead the government,' she said.

In a statement posted to its website, the Department of Defence said: 'Defence can confirm it has accepted Ms Kathryn Campbell's resignation from the Department with effect from Friday 21 July 2023.'

'Defence will not provide further comment on this matter.'

However, when asked about it, Minister for Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh, stated that he couldn't confirm it at that moment. He also emphasised that the public's attention regarding the illegal scheme should be directed towards the former government, putting the responsibility on them.

'When we look at the entire Robodebt scandal and the royal commission and the findings that it handed down, the critical focus here needs to be the failure at the level of government, the ministers that were responsible, their failures to keep their own cabinet colleagues apprised of exactly how this program was operating,' he said.

'That was a failure by the ministers, it was a failure by the last government, and that is where the focus of the report and people's focus on how that all unfolded needs to be.'

Key Takeaways

• Senior public servant Kathryn Campbell has resigned from her $900,000-a-year job following the fallout from the Robodebt scandal.
• Ms Campbell formerly held a significant role in the Department of Human Services, she had been suspended without pay after the royal commission findings pointed out serious failings.
• Kathryn Campbell was later appointed as an advisor on AUKUS in the Department of Defence, from which she resigned following the public backlash after the royal commission.
• The royal commission report criticised Ms Campbell for repeatedly failing to act on the flaws of the illegal income averaging scheme that she had a significant role overseeing. She denied any intention to mislead the government during her questioning at the royal commission.

Although we understand that resolving the Robodebt scandal won't happen overnight, we are eagerly awaiting the outcomes that the task force will bring to light. Our hope is that justice will be served, and those who have suffered unjust consequences will receive the help they deserve.

Members, we would love to hear your thoughts on this news story. Please share your opinions with us in the comments section below.

But I bet she still gets to access or keep all of her super payout, while most of us lost our income to live.

 

[Judy HB]

Not good enough! So she’s had to resign and has huge savings to live off! If this system has been proven illegal changes need to be laid!

 

[KatKop]

Good comments from other members about the Robodebt Disaster. Not a 'scandal' or a 'fallout' or an 'incident'—a DISASTER!

Isn't it time that all bureaucrat salary packages are reviewed and adjusted to reflect the reality that we all face? These people do not generate money/growth like people in the private sector do—they simply spend taxpayers' money according their departments/institutions' briefs and policies! And what happens when they don't meet their KPIs—precious little, I'm sure!

 

[Zemo]

Good comments from other members about the Robodebt Disaster. Not a 'scandal' or a 'fallout' or an 'incident'—a DISASTER!

Isn't it time that all bureaucrat salary packages are reviewed and adjusted to reflect the reality that we all face? These people do not generate money/growth like people in the private sector do—they simply spend taxpayers' money according their departments/institutions' briefs and policies! And what happens when they don't meet their KPIs—precious little, I'm sure!

While this post has nothing to do with the Robodebt fiasco, it shows where some individuals' perceived place in society lies. I heard on talkback radio this morning that the average "wage" for thugby league players, from top level to the bottom, is about 400 grand. Now, I don't know whether you place any reliability on the utterances of people involved in talkback radio, but it does go to show the inflated value that is put on the players by the gawpers, who willingly lay out large sums of money buying accessories and team merchandise for -- what?

 

[KatKop]

While this post has nothing to do with the Robodebt fiasco, it shows where some individuals' perceived place in society lies. I heard on talkback radio this morning that the average "wage" for thugby league players, from top level to the bottom, is about 400 grand. Now, I don't know whether you place any reliability on the utterances of people involved in talkback radio, but it does go to show the inflated value that is put on the players by the gawpers, who willingly lay out large sums of money buying accessories and team merchandise for -- what?

Good point. And Rugby League pales in comparison with international football stars. Current news: '...Paris Saint-Germain ... received a world record bid of $492m for Kylian Mbappe from Saudi club Al Hilal.'

 

[Ashmenou]

No

Not just name them -- bring them to the courts. If it's acknowledged that the scheme was illegal, then bloody do something about it!

Well said

 

[RTS]

Salaries for senior public servants are far more than what is fair and reasonable. Their argument that if they were in the private sector they would be highly paid doesn't fly. Their skills don't align with the private sector, where results are what count.
I wonder who decided on these massive salaries.

 

[Zemo]

Salaries for senior public servants are far more than what is fair and reasonable. Their argument that if they were in the private sector they would be highly paid doesn't fly. Their skills don't align with the private sector, where results are what count.
I wonder who decided on these massive salaries.

I'll give you one guess as to who didn't say they were excessive. It's a great system whereby the public disservice merely accepts the decisions made by an "independent" arbitrator and then says, when/if any criticisms are made of those decisions, "Well, look, we didn't have any say in the matter." Politicians, of course, are in a good paddock all of their own. If anybody dares to say anything about it, that's TS, baby. Suck it up, princess.

 

[Ronloby]

Salaries for senior public servants are far more than what is fair and reasonable. Their argument that if they were in the private sector they would be highly paid doesn't fly. Their skills don't align with the private sector, where results are what count.
I wonder who decided on these massive salaries.

They themselves decide on salaries. These people do not deserve these high salaries when they just rubberstamp whatever comes to their desks. How can these salaries be justified by the MPs and government?
Also, ALL those involved in the robo scheme from the TOP down should be charged with causing harm and death by their actions including BIG fines and jail or both. Withdraw their super and use it to help all people caught up in the robo-debt scheme.

 

[Leenie]

She was a bully period, and all politicians protect each other good luck trying to get them into court.

 

[Shane/#]

It's been a tumultuous few months, to say the least, for those embroiled in the Robodebt scandal.

The incident, which saw thousands of Australians targeted by the 'unlawful' income averaging scheme, has sparked one of the most heated conversations about inequality and justice in our nation's recent history.

In the wake of the Royal Commission into the issue, one high-ranking official has stepped down from her role at the centre of the scandal: Kathryn Campbell, who headed up the Department of Human Services at the time of the scheme's introduction.

Her resignation from her job was confirmed this week, just three days after the commission's findings into the Robodebt scandal were presented in a three-volume document totalling 900 pages.

View attachment 25884

Ms Campbell's resignation comes after a royal commission into the illegal Robodebt scheme her department oversaw. Credit: Shutterstock.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Royal Commission findings were 'very clear about failings' and confirmed Ms Campbell had been suspended without pay and left her job as an adviser on AUKUS.

During her time as the Head of Human Services, Ms Campbell was responsible for implementing a scheme that forced struggling Australians to repay money they didn't actually owe. This had severe consequences, causing financial hardship for many individuals.

The commission's investigation was critical of Ms Campbell's role in the scandal, as it revealed her involvement in the problematic implementation of the scheme.

'Ms Campbell had been responsible for a department that had established, implemented and maintained an unlawful program,' the Royal Commission report said.

'When exposed to information that brought to light the illegality of income averaging, she did nothing of substance. When presented with opportunities to obtain advice on the lawfulness of that practice, she failed to act.'

The federal Labor government then discreetly transferred Ms Campbell from her position as the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the AUKUS role. In this new role, she received an annual salary of approximately $900,000.

When grilled on the appointment during a Senate Estimates inquiry, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the evidence presented throughout the Royal Commission proceedings went 'beyond what [she] anticipated'.

Credit: ABC News (Australia).​

On the other hand, Ms Campbell, despite facing damning evidence against her, denied intentionally misleading the government during the same inquiry.

'I have never been in a department that sought to mislead. And I have never been involved in an operation that has sought to mislead the government,' she said.

In a statement posted to its website, the Department of Defence said: 'Defence can confirm it has accepted Ms Kathryn Campbell's resignation from the Department with effect from Friday 21 July 2023.'

'Defence will not provide further comment on this matter.'

However, when asked about it, Minister for Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh, stated that he couldn't confirm it at that moment. He also emphasised that the public's attention regarding the illegal scheme should be directed towards the former government, putting the responsibility on them.

'When we look at the entire Robodebt scandal and the royal commission and the findings that it handed down, the critical focus here needs to be the failure at the level of government, the ministers that were responsible, their failures to keep their own cabinet colleagues apprised of exactly how this program was operating,' he said.

'That was a failure by the ministers, it was a failure by the last government, and that is where the focus of the report and people's focus on how that all unfolded needs to be.'

Key Takeaways

• Senior public servant Kathryn Campbell has resigned from her $900,000-a-year job following the fallout from the Robodebt scandal.
• Ms Campbell formerly held a significant role in the Department of Human Services, she had been suspended without pay after the royal commission findings pointed out serious failings.
• Kathryn Campbell was later appointed as an advisor on AUKUS in the Department of Defence, from which she resigned following the public backlash after the royal commission.
• The royal commission report criticised Ms Campbell for repeatedly failing to act on the flaws of the illegal income averaging scheme that she had a significant role overseeing. She denied any intention to mislead the government during her questioning at the royal commission.

Although we understand that resolving the Robodebt scandal won't happen overnight, we are eagerly awaiting the outcomes that the task force will bring to light. Our hope is that justice will be served, and those who have suffered unjust consequences will receive the help they deserve.

Members, we would love to hear your thoughts on this news story. Please share your opinions with us in the comments section below.

Criminal charges should apply to all that had their finger's in the pie and should be charged and jailed for this mind-boggling decision making and Sco-Mo and Co as well these parasites caused people to suicide and should be jailed