Statement regarding NACC rejection of Robodebt Royal Commission findings regarding Morrison conduct
11 March 2026
I welcome the findings of the Investigation Report of Operation Myrtleford, conducted by the NACC that rejects key findings of the Robodebt Royal Commission into my conduct.
Specially the NACC investigation found that I did not engage in corrupt conduct in relation to the Robodebt scheme.
Furthermore, the findings of the NACC:
1. clear me of the allegation that I misled Cabinet as to the true nature of the proposed measure and its unlawfulness as alleged by the Royal Commission; and
2. demonstrate that my evidence was not untrue as regards the longstanding practice of income averaging. As noted in the Investigation Report, the facts disclosed by evidence given in the NACC's investigation presented a 'different complexion' to that during the Royal Commission. The evidence in the NACC's investigation is that 'there was also a longstanding practice of applying averaging ‘as a last resort’ where, after thorough examination, the compliance officer was unable to find sufficient information to make an informed assessment.'
In her concluding statement Deputy Commissioner Kilgour found as follows:
“I do not accept that Mr Morrison should have realised the NPP was misleading; and, accordingly, I do not consider that his failure to detect the NPP was misleading was in breach of any personal obligation of honesty or good faith. Like other ministers, Mr Morrison was expected to rely on the advice of his department and on the NPP and the Finance Green Brief, and he did so. His failure to detect that the NPP was misleading was caused by the failure of DHS and DSS, particularly of DSS, to advise him and other concerned ministers that legislative amendment was required, and to ensure that the need for legislative amendment was noted in the checklist.”
A thorough reading of the report also reveals that:
● the Robodebt scheme proposal was not conceived or originated by myself, but by Department officials,
● as Minister, I had no involvement in the administration of the Robodebt scheme, as it commenced implementation after I had left the relevant portfolio, and
● a safeguard measure was included in the original submission taken to Cabinet to conduct a pilot programme to identify any potential adverse implementation issues prior to its commencement.
The findings of the NACC investigation have rightly rejected the false political narrative, inferences and perceptions created and promoted by the Labor Government regarding my conduct and involvement in the Robodebt scheme.
The NACC came to very different conclusions to the Royal Commission in relation to my conduct. The NACC findings therefore validate my previous rejection of the conclusions made by the Royal Commission into my conduct on this matter.
That said, there were significant failures that occurred in Robodebt. Once again I express my deepest sympathy to all those who were adversely impacted by the Robodebt scheme. However, as the NACC found, during my time as Minister these failures were the result of Department officials not providing accurate advice to their Ministers.
The NACC has rightly concluded that Ministers must be able to rely on the accuracy of the advice provided by their departments, especially on matters of technical expertise, and receive that advice in good faith. Whether they follow that advice is a matter for those Ministers. In this case, I relied upon, and followed, that advice. The Departmental advice and warranties provided to Ministers were wrong.
As I have stated repeatedly, had the Department of Social Services not withheld their advice that legislation was required to introduce this scheme, I believe a very different history would have emerged.
I gave honest evidence to both the Royal Commission and the NACC Investigation. I am pleased the NACC has displayed the objectivity and independence necessary to properly conduct an investigation into these matters. This is reflected in their findings.
I commend Deputy Commissioner Kilgour and all those who worked on this investigation for their meticulous investigation of the facts and thank them for their efforts. I also thank my legal team for their considerable professional efforts and support on these matters over the past several years as these investigations have proceeded.
