Scott Morrison spotted in Italy as bombshell robodebt report to be released

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison is set to fly home from his lavish Italian holiday into a firestorm over the controversial robodebt scheme.

Scott Morrison is set to fly home from an Italian holiday into a firestorm over the robodebt scheme as his European vacation draws to a close.

Australians holidaying in Italy have now spotted the former prime minister in Florence, Rome and the Italian coast after he jetted to Europe during Parliament’s winter-break.

In a photograph obtained by news.com.au, Mr Morrison is seen with his family on the Italian coast enjoying a summer holiday.

His 2019 trip to Hawaii was famously cut short by the bushfires after it was revealed he had secretly flown out of the country for a long-planned family holiday.

Scott Morrison was snapped on the Amalfi coast with his family. Picture: Supplied

The globetrotting Prime Minister has been in London in recent weeks to deliver a speech to the Oxford University’s Union Society over the decline of Western civilisation’s mojo.

“The West must put away the sackcloth and ashes,’’ he said.

“We are surrendering our optimism, frightening our children and forfeiting confidence in our Western model – of freedom.

Late last month, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Mr Morrison had been spotted enjoying lunch in Florence on the weekend at the Ristorante dei Priori.

His 2019 trip to Hawaii was famously cut short by the bushfires.

But a bombshell report into the Robodebt scandal is expected to contain savage criticisms of the former Government and senior public servants and a secret “sealed section” is set to be released on Friday.

Officials from the royal commission into the scheme began briefing departmental chiefs on Thursday of adverse findings ahead of Friday’s public release of the report.

News.com.au has confirmed that in the 900-page report the royal commissioner Ms Catherine Holmes AC SC Commission also includes a secret “sealed section” containing referrals.

In her letter to the Governor-General, Ms Homes says that an additional chapter remains secret and will not be tabled publicly to protect any future “civil action and criminal prosecution”.

Ms Catherine Holmes AC SC Royal Commissioner, said there’d be a sealed section in the Robodebt report. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Commonwealth agreed on a $112 million settlement for victims of the scheme in June 2021 after conceding the scheme was unlawful and the inquiry was established to investigate how the scandal unfolded.

During his own evidence to the inquiry, former Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was given “very explicit” advice that no legislation was needed for the scheme which would ultimately become Robodebt.

“The critical failure in the system was that this advice, which had been sought prior to my turning up, was not brought to the attention of ministers, and I believe there was an obligation and duty to do so,” Mr Morrison said.

“I believe that was a reasonable expectation of a minister of their department.”

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaking before the Royal Commission into Robodebt in Brisbane.

The Department of Social Services had warned in late 2014 the robodebt proposal would likely be unlawful.

During the hearings, senior counsel assisting Justin Greggery KC asked if Mr Morrison was able to say why the advice was “withheld” from him.

“No, I’m not. And that is distressing,’’ the former prime minister replied.

“At no time was any legal advice advanced to ministers that the program was unlawful.”

Last year Mr Morrison skipped the first week of Parliament after the federal election to make an overseas trip to Japan for a speaking tour.

Despite widespread speculation he will quit Parliament before the next election to date he remains the Member for Cook.