Peter Dutton accused Labor of ‘politicising’ Robodebt scandal

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says there is “no question” the Robodebt scheme was problematic, accusing Labor of attempting to “squeeze every political drop” out of the scandal a week out from the Fadden by-election.

Peter Dutton has accused Anthony Albanese of politicising the robodebt royal commission by releasing it a week before the Fadden by-election.

Ahead of the release of the royal commission report, the Opposition Leader on Friday said there was “no question” the robodebt scheme was problematic.

But he accused the Prime Minister of attempting to “squeeze every political drop” out of the royal commission by immediately releasing the report rather than waiting for the government to formulate its response.

“There is no question about why it’s being dropped today,” Mr Dutton told Channel 9’s Today.

“We’re a week out from the by-election in Fadden. The government is trying to squeeze every political drop.

“The objective of any government is to make sure that people who have been overpaid through the payment system reclaim that money. That happens every day in the welfare system.

“If there are breakdowns in the system, which clearly there were, then we will look at the recommendations, but don’t lose sight of the fact the government politicised this … and are dropping it now as a way to try and smear our candidate, our chances in Fadden in the by-election.”

Opposition government services spokesman Paul Fletcher said the Coalition was taking the report seriously, adding that “to those Australians who have been adversely affected, we are sorry”.

“When the previous Coalition government became aware of the problems with robodebt, we cancelled the policy and ensured that those affected received a refund or had their debts zeroed,” he said.

Opposition government services spokesman Paul Fletcher. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

“Since that time, the issues outlined in the report have been well scrutinised, including through the parliament and courts.

“It is important that all parties learn from the report and that its recommendations are sensibly considered.”

Greens social services spokeswoman Janet Rice said the report was a “culmination of years of fighting, advocacy, and bravery”, raising concerns that the Labor government continued to use automation to assess people on income support.

“Thousands of innocent people were made to feel like criminals when it was robodebt that was criminal – and the prime minister, his cabinet, and senior department officials responsible for this scheme must be held to account for this brutality,” Senator Rice said.

Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Cassandra Goldie said robodebt was a “shocking and shameful episode” in the nation’s history that had caused thousands of people acute distress.