Former PM tells royal commission he accepted what then human services minister Alan Tudge told him about legality of scheme
The decision to implement the program was made by Tony Abbott’s cabinet for the May 2015 budget, but it was launched at scale under Turnbull, who became prime minister in September that year.
The massive ramp-up of Centrelink’s debt-raising activities resulted in significant public controversy in late 2016 and early 2017, prompting Turnbull to voice some concerns with the then human services minister, Alan Tudge. On 7 January 2017, Turnbull sent Tudge a link to a Sydney Morning Herald article by Peter Martin that was highly critical of the scheme and said the way it calculated debts could be unlawful.
Despite Tudge’s explanation, the commissioner, Catherine Holmes, told the inquiry on Monday that was how the scheme often worked.More broadly, Turnbull said he had accepted what Tudge had told him about the program, as the “responsible minister”.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Robodebt concerns revealed in text messages of former PM Malcolm TurnbullFormer prime minister Malcolm Turnbull faces questioning on Robodebt, appearing today via video link at the Brisbane royal commission into the illegal scheme.
Read more »
Live: Malcolm Turnbull fronts Robodebt royal commissionFormer prime minister Malcolm Turnbull is due to appear via video link before the Robodebt royal commission in the final week of public hearings. Follow live.
Read more »
Australia politics live: Turnbull at robodebt royal commission, first referendum bill coming up for debateFollow live
Read more »
Superannuation wars updates LIVE: Super tax overhaul to hit one-in-10 with 30 yearsWATCH LIVE: question time; Malcolm Turnbull tells robo-debt inquiry that he expected ministers to comply with the law. Follow updates here.
Read more »
Turnbull texted Tudge to ask if he was getting ‘the right advice’ on robo-debtFormer prime minister Malcolm Turnbull never doubted the robo-debt scheme’s legality but questioned his minister over text message when problems with the controversial program were raised in the media.
Read more »
Turnbull texted Tudge to ask if he was getting ‘the right advice’ on robo-debtThe former prime minister told the royal commission he did not doubt the welfare recovery scheme’s legality, although he had expressed concerns about its fairness.
Read more »