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Senior public servant suspended after Robodebt findings

Kathryn Campbell suspended in Robodebt fallout

The senior public servant who oversaw the unlawful Robodebt scheme has been stood down from her position at the Department of Defence following a damning royal commission report.

Kathryn Campbell, who was previously the head of the Department of Human Services, was involuntarily stood down from her advisory role at Defence 10 days ago.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Thursday the decision to suspend her was made by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and “appropriate bodies”.

She was suspended without pay from July 10, three days after the royal commission report was tabled.

But despite Thursday’s reports, Ms Campbell may yet face further action. Independent MP Sophie Scamps flagged a referral to the new national anti-corruption body.

“Kathryn Campbell has been suspended without pay in the wake of the Robodebt royal commission,” she tweeted on Thursday.

“But there’s still the outstanding issue of her being parachuted into a $892,000 role … I’m considering a NACC referral.”

Ms Campbell was made an adviser on the AUKUS security partnership in June last year, with a salary of $900,000 a year.

She was singled out in the royal commission report into Robodebt.

The commission found Ms Campbell gave misleading evidence to cabinet about Robodebt but stayed silent because then-minister Scott Morrison wanted to pursue the scheme, and the government wouldn’t be able to achieve its forecast budget savings without it.

While the commission said Ms Campbell was “likely to mislead because it contained no reference to income averaging or the need for legislative change”, she said it was an “oversight”.

However, the commission said such claims were extraordinary for someone of her experience.

Mr Albanese said the royal commission had identified failings within the public service and there was a need to respond.

“Most people who have a look at the human tragedy that was caused by Robodebt and the findings of the royal commission are very, very clear about failings by the Morrison government, and indeed going back to when Scott Morrison was the minister,” he told ABC Radio on Thursday.

Mr Albanese did not say if Ms Campbell’s suspension would be permanent.

He said the government would respond in an appropriate way to the findings of the royal commission, which were “more damning than anyone was expecting”.

Greens social services spokeswoman Janet Rice said Ms Campbell’s suspension was a welcome step.

“But it shouldn’t end there – all those responsible for this brutal and illegal scheme, including Scott Morrison, must be held to account too,” she said.

“The harm and trauma and deaths could have been avoided if not for the inhumane actions and lack of accountability from former prime minister Morrison on down, including senior departmental officials like Ms Campbell.”

-with AAP

Topics: Robodebt
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