Corruption watchdog to investigate Robodebt referrals

The corruption watchdog has reversed course on a controversial decision involving six public servants linked to the Robodebt scandal.

The country’s corruption watchdog will investigate six officials linked to the illegal Robodebt scheme after reviewing its decision not to.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) probed its controversial call not to investigate the public servants – whose identities are unknown – after uncovering a potential conflict of interest involving the watchdog’s chief, Paul Brereton.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission will investigate six officials linked to the illegal Robodebt scheme. Picture: NewsWire / Aaron Francis

“As a result of the decision made by its independent reconsideration delegate, Mr Geoffrey Nettle AC KC, on 10 February 2025, the Commission will investigate the 6 referrals it received from the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme,” the NACC said in a statement.

“The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether or not any of the six referred persons engaged in corrupt conduct.”

It said the commission was “now making arrangements to ensure the impartial and fair investigation of the referrals, as it did with the appointment of Mr Nettle as independent reconsideration delegate”.

“The commissioner and those deputy commissioners who were involved in the original decision not to investigate the referrals will not participate in the investigation,” the NACC said.

Mr Brereton delegated the decision on whether to investigate Robodebt referrals to a deputy commissioner after declaring he knew one of the referred officials.

NACC chief Paul Brereton will not be involved in the investigation. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

But a review of the NACC’s decision not to investigate the referrals found Mr Brereton was heavily involved in the decision-making process and should have removed himself altogether.

Following the review, the NACC said Mr Brereton misjudged the “extent to which a perceived conflict of interest required him to be isolated”.

Mr Brereton, whose distinguished career has spanned decades, also admitted he made an error.

“Mistakes are always regrettable, but the most important thing is that they be put right,” he said at the time.

Originally published as Corruption watchdog to investigate Robodebt referrals