2024-11-07 06:25:00
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says the government plans to publish the secret section of the Robodebt royal commission report, although it is not clear when it will do so.
Dreyfus said in a Thursday statement this would be done for transparency and accountability “at the first appropriate opportunity”.
The timing will depend on advice from the “eminent person” who is to review the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s decision not to investigate six people referred to it by the royal commission. The six, among others, are named in the secret section.
The royal commission recommended this section not be released with the rest of the report to avoid prejudicing any civil action or criminal prosecution.
“With civil and criminal matters largely complete, the government had planned to table the additional chapter in the House of Representatives in the current sitting week,” Dreyfus said.
But then last week the Inspector of the NACC said the NACC’s decision not to investigate the six should be reopened, after finding Commissioner Paul Brereton, who heads the organisation, had not properly recused himself from the decision-making process. Brereton excused himself because of his acquaintance with one of the six, but was still heavily involved in the process, according to the Inspector.
The Inspector said an eminent person should be appointed by the NACC to look again at whether an investigation should be undertaken.
“The government will now seek advice from the NACC decision maker, once appointed, on whether the tabling of the confidential additional chapter would prejudice any current or future decision of the NACC, ” Dreyfus said.
There has been strong pressure, including from within the government, for the secret section to be put out.
Meanwhile Brereton’s conduct will be examined at a public hearing later this month of the parliament committee with oversight of the NACC.
There have been calls for Brereton’s resignation, with critics saying this is needed to preserve the reputation of the NACC, which has only been in operation a little over a year.
The deputy chair of the parliamentary committee, Independent MP Helen Haines, told The Conversation’s politics podcast that the NACC had had a “disappointing start” with the Robodebt incident and the findings by the Inspector.
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**Interview with Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on the Robodebt Scheme Report**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us, Attorney-General Dreyfus. Can you explain why the government has decided to publish the secret section of the Robodebt royal commission report?
**Mark Dreyfus**: Thank you for having me. The decision to publish this section is rooted in our dedication to transparency and accountability. We believe that the public deserves access to this information, especially considering the seriousness of the allegations surrounding the Robodebt scheme.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned that the timing of the release will depend on advice regarding the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s decision. Can you elaborate on that?
**Mark Dreyfus**: Certainly. The release of this chapter involves careful consideration to ensure that it does not interfere with any potential civil or criminal proceedings. We have engaged an eminent person to review the situation, and we’ll proceed based on their guidance. It’s crucial that we balance the public’s right to know with the need for due process.
**Interviewer**: The royal commission initially advised against releasing this section. What factors led to reconsideration?
**Mark Dreyfus**: The landscape has changed somewhat since the royal commission’s recommendations. Our government is committed to fostering an environment of openness, and we believe that by publishing this information, we reaffirm our stance on integrity in government operations. However, we take the royal commission’s concerns seriously and are proceeding cautiously.
**Interviewer**: What can the public expect in terms of accountability from this publication?
**Mark Dreyfus**: We hope that by making this information public, it will hold individuals accountable for their actions related to the Robodebt scheme. This is an important step in rebuilding trust with the community, and we are determined to learn from the past failures of the system.
**Interviewer**: when do you anticipate this information will be available to the public?
**Mark Dreyfus**: At this stage, I cannot provide a specific timeline. We are prioritizing thoroughness and legal considerations to ensure that the publication is responsible, and we will keep the public informed about any developments.
**Interviewer**: Thank you for your insights, Attorney-General Dreyfus. We look forward to seeing the release of this important information.
**Mark Dreyfus**: Thank you for having me.