New powers to bolster accountability for robodebt

Senior officials involved in the illegal robodebt scheme could be investigated as the federal government moves to assure victims there will be justice.

Between 2015 and 2019, the government's botched scheme automatically used annual tax office data to calculate average earnings and issue debt notices.

The program recovered more than $750 million from almost 400,000 people, with many welfare recipients falsely accused of owing the government money.

New legislation would give the Australian Public Service Commissioner powers to investigate former agency heads for alleged breaches of the public service code of conduct and make determinations.

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said he did not "buy that we haven't had robodebt justice".

"It's a permanent entry on the Wikipedias (sic) of all of those ministers who were involved," he said.

"We've learned new processes as a result, and we've been responding to the royal commission's recommendations.

"You can never get true justice because it should never have happened, it was unlawful."

In June, the National Anti-Corruption Commission announced it would not launch an investigation into the public officials connected to the robodebt scheme.

It said the pubic servants had already been investigated through the robodebt royal commission and further inquiries were not necessary.

In response, nearly 900 individual complaints were made to the Inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, with many alleging corrupt conduct or maladministration.

Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher said the bill would provide accountability for abuses.

"This legislation will ensure that senior public servants are clearly accountable for their actions as public service leaders, even after leaving their roles," she said.

"The robodebt scheme was a shameful chapter of public administration."

"Where appropriate, those involved from the public service must be held to account.

"We want to make sure a scheme like this can never happen again."

Though the Australian Public Service Commissioner was close to finalising investigations into former agency heads over robodebt, some argued these alleged code of conduct breaches could not be investigated due to legal provisions in the Public Service Act.

The government's bill would allow these officials to be held accountable for code of conduct breaches as agency heads - the same way current and former public servants are.

The Community and Public Sector Union welcomed the government's measure.

"The proposed amendments to the Public Service Act are a critical step towards rebuilding trust and ensuring that all public servants, regardless of their role or tenure, are held to the highest standards of accountability," CPSU national secretary Melissa Donnelly said in a statement.

The government has agreed or agreed in principle to the 56 recommendations of the royal commission.