Cut Through

Rick Morton unpacks the NACC robodebt report

Cut Through

Show Notes

After 10 years, more than 470,000 wrongly-issued debts, six separate investigations and $2.4 billion in compensation to victims, the National Anti-Corruption Commission handed down its final report into the unlawful debt recovery scheme known as robodebt. Two public servants were found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct, but will not face criminal investigation. The other four individuals – including Scott Morrison – were cleared.

The reaction from victims, their families and the advocates campaigning for accountability was one of disappointment and frustration. Rick Morton, the journalist who has followed robodebt most closely, says he was “shocked, but not surprised" by the NACC report.

Morton joins the podcast to unpack the NACC’s robodebt report, what the saga reveals about the public service, and why covering this story has changed him forever.

Read more: The NACC robodebt report: A heartbreaking work of staggering incompetence NACC’s robodebt investigation conjures offensive and stupid excuses for letting Scott Morrison off Not ‘newsworthy’: Why the NACC decided not to update the media for 63 days Does the NACC have any hope of regaining public trust? Exclusive: Robodebt architect remains employed in a senior governance role in the public service

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