We’ve ensured another robodebt will happen

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has decided not to pursue the robodebt royal commission referrals. Among its reasons were that five of the six public servants referred to it for investigation “were also the subject of referrals to the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC)”, and that there exists “the absence of a real likelihood of a further investigation producing significant new evidence”.

Duplication of the work of the APSC would be a good reason for the NACC not to proceed — if the public had confidence in those investigations. Its slowness raises fears that robodebt perpetrators will avoid consequences by resigning or retiring, remaining anonymous and unaccountable.