New DFAT boss comes with robodebt baggage
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The top bureaucrat who oversaw the beginning of the unlawful $1.8 billion robodebt scheme has been promoted to one of the most prestigious roles in the public service, heading Australia’s diplomacy as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Kathryn Campbell was secretary of the Department of the Human Services from 2011 to 2017, which was responsible for the welfare overpayment recovery scheme that became robodebt, before being appointed to her current role leading the Department of Social Services.
The Federal Court has approved a $1.8 billion payout for victims of the controversial Robodebt scheme.
The program, which operated between 2015 and 2017, saw $1.7 billion worth of debts raised from more than 430,000 Australians.
Federal Court Justice Bernard Murphy delivered a scathing assessment of the scheme, labelling it a "shameful chapter" and a "failure".
The decision will also see the Commonwealth fork out an additional $8.4 million in legal costs.