‘No empathy’: Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton trade barbs in Robodebt report fallout

Peter Dutton has apologised to people affected by the Robodebt scheme, as Anthony Albanese lashed the Opposition Leader’s ‘refusal to say that anything was wrong’.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton addressed the Liberal National Party’s state convention in Brisbane on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Peter Dutton has apologised to people affected by the Robodebt scheme in comments Anthony Albanese said lacked a “hint of empathy”.

The leaders’ remarks follow Friday’s release of a damning report from royal commissioner Catherine Holmes, which found bureaucrats and Coalition ministers showed “venality, incompetence and cowardice” in pursuing the Robodebt scheme.

The Opposition Leader on Saturday morning accused the Prime Minister of “glee” at politicising the issue.

At a press conference later that day, Mr Albanese lashed Mr Dutton’s response.

“There could have been a hint of empathy from Peter Dutton but there was none – a refusal to even say that anything wrong happened here in spite of the very clear evidence,” he said.

Ms Holmes referred individuals for both civil and criminal prosecution to agencies including the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Public Service Commission, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the president of the Law ­Society of the ACT.

It is likely the harshest penalties will be aimed at public servants, rather than politicians.

Mr Dutton said he did not know whether any of his former ministerial colleagues had been named in the report’s “sealed section” but said Mr Albanese should not attempt to make that part public, and accused both him and Government Services Minister Bill Shorten of politicising the issue.

“Well, I believe very strongly that Bill Shorten politicised this issue from day one,” Mr Dutton said, speaking outside the LNP state convention in Brisbane on Saturday.

“And I would just sound a word of caution at the glee of the Prime Minister and Minister Shorten in relation to this issue.”

Opposition leader Peter Dutton at the LNP state convention in Brisbane on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Mr Albanese pushed backed against claims of politicisation.

“I would have thought that given that Peter Dutton sat in the cabinet for all of that time, sat in the parliament for all of that time – and since – and defended this system, that the royal commission could have seen some recognition from Peter Dutton that this isn’t about politics, it’s about people,” Mr Albanese said later that day.

Mr Dutton, when asked whether the Coalition took responsibility for the failure of the Robodebt scheme, said he was sorry.

“When the problems were brought to the attention of the government at the time the program was stopped,” Mr Dutton said.

“I’m sorry to those people that have been adversely affected, I truly am, in relation to those cases that we saw before the royal commission (and) other cases that have been in the media otherwise.

“The commission was an important process and they’ve made recommendations; we’ll consider those.”

Asked whether he would ask former prime minister Scott Morrison to resign over the findings, Mr Dutton referred to Mr Morrison’s public statement disputing the commission’s findings.

Mr Dutton meanwhile used his address to the LNP state convention to accuse Mr Albanese of setting Australia “on a course to division” by pressing for an Indigenous voice to parliament.

“Now is time for the Prime Minister to reconsider his position,” Mr Dutton said.

“Knowingly, the path he has us on … a No outcome … if he has us on that pathway, it’s incumbent on him as a leader of our country to act in the national interest.”

Mr Dutton urged Mr Albanese to “step back” from the “divisive path” he was on.

He accused corporate Australia, elites in capital cities, and sport stars of “moralising” on the issue, and told the party faithful they should make up their own minds on how to vote at the upcoming referendum.

Mr Dutton claimed his party and the Australian people had a “burning desire” to see better outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

“It breaks my heart to see the travesty that unfolds in areas like … Alice Springs and Tennant Creek …(but) we need practical action (not) another layer of bureaucracy.”

In his speech, Mr Dutton said he was confident his party room, and the Nationals party room, were united. He said the Opposition wouldn’t be in the “strong position” it was if there was internal division.

His comments come after reports there has been “internal rumblings” against Nationals leader David Littleproud after failing to lock in any of the ­almost $30bn funding commitments agreed to by Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce in return for the country party’s backing of a net zero emissions by 2050 target.

There are 714 delegates registered at the convention, and nearly 130 open session resolutions are due to be debated.

On Friday, controversial Liberal Senator Gerard Rennick was booted off his party’s Senate ticket, losing the third spot to LNP treasurer Stuart Fraser, after a vote of state council.

The final vote was close. Sources told The Australian Mr Fraser secured 131 votes to Senator Rennick’s 128.

Mr Dutton on Saturday paid tribute to Senator Rennick’s “significant contribution” to the taxation debate, in particular, and thanked him for his work, which he said was “not over”.

LNP president Lawrence Springborg said Senator Rennick would continue to serve Queenslanders until the next election.

“Queensland will be well represented by a strong Senate team that comes from all walks of life, different backgrounds and from across all corners of Queensland,” Mr Springborg said.

“I also want to thank Senator Gerard Rennick for his tireless efforts and pay tribute to him for his passionate advocacy for Queensland, who he has represented since 2019, and will continue to do until the next federal election.”