10th Aug 2023, 12:31 PM – Representatives Motions - Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme - Member for Maribyrnong

The majority voted against an amendment to a motion, which means the amendment failed.

NOTE: At the time this entry was edited, MP Cameron Caldwell was showing up as a rebel voter, but this is an error (see the original Hansard record, which shows Mr Caldwell voting with the rest of his party).

Amendment text

That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

this House:

(1) expresses its regret and apologises to the Australians who received unlawful debt notices under the income compliance program administered by the Department of Human Services and Services Australia;

(2) notes that the Morrison Government cancelled the program and it ensured that those affected received a refund or had their debts zeroed, and that, to date, 99 per cent of refunds have been issued; and

(3) notes that debate on this motion moved by the Member for Maribyrnong is diverting parliamentary time from the pressing challenges which Australian are facing, including eleven consecutive mortgage interest rate increases under this government, gas and electricity prices increasing dramatically in the face of the government's inability to deliver the promised $275 reduction in power bills, and soaring inflation which is creating a cost of living challenge for Australians.

Original motion text

That this House:

(1) accepts the findings of the report of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme regarding the former ministers involved in the design and implementation of the scheme;

(2) expresses its deep regret and apologises to the victims of the unlawful robodebt scheme, and to front-line Centrelink staff; and

(3) commits to ensuring this cruel, unlawful chapter in the history of Australian public administration is never repeated.