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Laura Tingle

Computer says no: robodebt leaves a trail of wreckage

The welfare reform scheme has been a political and financial failure for a government obsessed with its credentials on the surplus.

Laura TingleColumnist

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It sounded so reassuring at the time: “The Coalition’s plan for better management of the social welfare system”. It emerged in the maelstrom of the 2016 election campaign.

“Better management of Australia’s social services will support continued record investment in social welfare and other assistance,” it said soothingly, going on to list a range of spending on the disabled and women’s safety and the like, and mentioning lots of huge figures for spending on social welfare.

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Laura Tingle is chief political correspondent for the ABC's 7.30 program. She is the staff-elected director of the ABC. Connect with Laura on Twitter.

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    Original URL: https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/computer-says-no-robodebt-and-other-disasters-20191122-p53d1a