Caretaker conventions now in place

The Australian Government is operating in accordance with caretaker conventions ahead of the 2025 federal election. New material issued after 9am 28 March 2025, including transcripts, speeches and media releases, will not be available on this site. This information is usually available on the Australian Labor Party website, which is not maintained or funded by the Australian Government.

Robodebt Royal Commission Confidential Chapter

The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP
Media Release

In the interests of transparency and accountability the Albanese Government proposes to publish the confidential additional chapter of the Robodebt Royal Commission report at the first appropriate opportunity.

In her 7 July 2023 letter to the Governor-General presenting the final report of the Robodebt Royal Commission, the Hon Catherine Holmes AC SC recommended an additional chapter: 

"remain sealed and not be tabled with the rest of the report so as not to prejudice the conduct of any future civil action or criminal prosecution".

With civil and criminal matters largely complete, the Government had planned to table the additional chapter in the House of Representatives in the current sitting week.

Last week the Inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) recommended that the NACC appoint an appropriate person to remake the decision on whether to investigate six people named in the confidential additional chapter, and the NACC accepted the recommendation.

The Government will now seek advice from the NACC decision maker, once appointed, on whether the tabling of the confidential additional chapter would prejudice any current or future decision of the NACC.

Support

There is support available for anyone affected by this statement. Please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.