Labor leaves Robodebt victims without justice while welfare harms continue
Labor leaves Robodebt victims without justice while welfare harms continue | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Labor leaves Robodebt victims without justice while welfare harms continue 2025-09-24 The Greens have used the release of a landmark SBS docuseries, The People vs Robodebt , to call on Labor to implement the remaining recommendations of the Robodebt Royal Commission, and stop the harmful targeting of welfare recipients that continues to this day.
More than two years on from the Robodebt Royal Commission, Labor have failed to implement key recommendations despite having previously agreed ‘in principle’ to all of the recommendations. The Greens and crossbenchers have introduced a bill to Parliament to fulfill outstanding recommendations from the Royal Commission including: Reinstating the 6 year limit on recovery of debts Establishing a duty of care for the Department of Social Services that prioritises the needs of social security recipients while administering the law, Restricting the kinds of decisions which can be made or automated without human oversight Better protections for people experiencing hardship from receiving compliance notices.
During Senate Estimates in January, Services Australia were revealed to still be chasing billions of dollars in decades-old welfare debts , dating as far back as 1979, and contrary to the Royal Commission. In echoes of Robodebt, Department officials have also recently said they could not confirm whether the current welfare compliance system is lawful. Under that potentially unlawful system, hundreds of thousands of welfare recipients lose access to essential payments each year thanks to payment suspensions executed by Employment Service Providers with little to no oversight.
Anti-Poverty Center has identified nearly 350,000 compliance-related payment suspensions were issued to people on Centrelink payments in just the first quarter of 2025. Greens have called for an end to this system. As part of serving justice on Robodebt, The Greens say Labor must protect the welfare recipients of today and prevent more harm.
Lines attributable to Greens spokesperson on Social Services, Senator Penny Allman-Payne: “It’s hard not to be moved when you hear the story of someone like Jenny Miller, featured in the SBS documentary today, who years on is still left fighting for justice after her son Rhys died in the Robodebt catastrophe.” "Jenny and many other victims of Robodebt like her were promised justice years ago, but have seen little of it.” “Years on, none of the perpetrators of Robodebt has received more than a slap on the wrist, and Labor have refused changes designed to prevent similar harms which continue to this day.” “Labor were happy to bash the coalition over their handling of welfare debts when in opposition, yet continue to punch down on welfare recipients in government.” “There is no excuse for continuing to chase billions of dollars in ancient welfare debts.
“There is no excuse for continuing to ignore huge parts of welfare law designed to keep food on the table for people. “There is no excuse for rampantly cutting off hundreds of thousands of welfare recipients from essential payments, people who have done nothing wrong.“ “The Greens urge Labor to support our bill to implement the outstanding recommendations of the Royal Commission, to stop the disastrous welfare suspensions system now, and deliver justice on behalf of the victims of Robodebt.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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