<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>326562</docID> <postdate>2024-08-14 11:10:38</postdate> <headline>Robodebt law paves way for public service investigation</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-326567" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20150423001125026652-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Robodebt falsely accused many welfare recipients of owing the government money. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Andrew Brown</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Public service commissioners will soon be able to be investigate former department heads for misconduct during their time in office.</strong></p> <p>Laws introduced to federal parliament on Wednesday will give the Australian Public Service Commissioner powers to investigate former agency leaders for breaching the public service code of conduct.</p> <p>The changes were brought in after the royal commission into the unlawful robodebt scheme led to concerns officials responsible would not be able to be properly investigated.</p> <p>Between 2015 and 2019, the botched scheme set up by the coalition government automatically used tax office data to calculate average earnings and issue debt notices.</p> <p>Robodebt recovered more than $750 million from almost 400,000 people, with many welfare recipients falsely accused of owing the government money.</p> <p>Government Services Minister Bill Shorten, who has called the scheme "unlawful", said the laws would help to restore integrity to the Australian public service.</p> <p>"We expect the highest standards of conduct from those in whom we place the highest levels of trust," he told parliament.</p> <p>"Agency heads are bound by the code of conduct in the same way as other Australian public servants ... these amendments will ensure the accountability of our most senior officials are in line with the public's expectations."</p> <p>Mr Shorten said the scheme was the catalyst for the public service changes being introduced.</p> <p>"As the inquiries progressed, claims were made that the alleged breaches of the code of conduct by former agency heads could not be investigated," he said.</p> <p>The National Anti-Corruption Commission announced in June it would not launch investigations into officials connected with robodebt, saying they had already been examined through a royal commission.</p> <p>The laws will also allow for agency heads who resign or retire during investigations into their conduct to be held accountable for their actions.</p> </body>