The secretary who was forced to wind up the scheme, Professor Renee Leon, lost her job after minister Stuart Robert resisted legal advice that it was unlawful, the royal commission has been told.
Former Human Services secretary Professor Renee Leon lost her job when she was forced to wind up the robo-debt scheme after then-government services minister Stuart Robert had resisted solicitor-general’s advice that the scheme was unlawful.
Professor Leon told the commission that in her view, co-operative secretaries were promoted while mandarins who were considered “unhelpful” were frozen out.in 2019 were all strong advocates for giving “frank and fearless” advice to ministers. Professor Leon said she received legal advice that the solicitor-general’s advice meant she should wind up the scheme.
Professor Leon testified that her relationship with Mr Robert deteriorated when he began proposing the department be morphed into a new agency, similar to Service NSW. The new service agency would report directly to the Social Services secretary, Kathryn Campbell. “There was sometimes, I think regrettably and unnecessarily, a desire to attribute blame,” Professor Leon said.
“I thought that the abolition of my department ... was probably a reward for secretary Kathryn Campbell for having been more responsive to the government.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Unfinished business’: Aus professor held hostage rescued as PNG police look for captorsA Queensland archaeologist has arrived in Toowoomba after being held hostage for a week in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Bryce Barker and three colleagues from the island were taken captive by an armed gang who demanded $1.4 million for his release. The gang received some of the demanded money after extensive negotiations however PNG police say there is still “unfinished business” as they continue their search for the captors.
Read more »
Australian professor taken hostage returns home after week in captivityA well-regarded Queensland professor has touched down in Australia and reunited with his loved ones after a frightening week held hostage.
Read more »
Professor recovering on home soil after week-long PNG hostage ordealAustralian archaeologist Bryce Barker touched down in Toowoomba on a specially chartered flight on Monday night. A colleague says his arrival brought an 'enormous sense of relief'.
Read more »
'We will double down': Former minister refused advice to apologise for Robodebt, inquiry hearsFormer top bureaucrat Renee Leon says she was forced to step in and stop the illegal Robodebt scheme because ministers refused.
Read more »
PNG PM issues 'police firepower' warning as hostage returns to AustraliaA respected Queensland professor kidnapped in Papua New Guinea has touched back down in Australia after a harrowing week in captivity. 9News
Read more »
PNG PM issues 'police firepower' warning as hostage returns to AustraliaA respected Queensland professor kidnapped in Papua New Guinea has touched back down in Australia after a harrowing week in captivity. 9News
Read more »