The Westminster Tradition - 5. How *not* to stop something - DSS, the Columbia effect, and the first missed opportunity to stop Robodebt

5. How not to stop something - DSS, the Columbia effect, and the first missed opportunity to stop Robodebt

07/01/23 • 25 min

In this episode, Caroline takes us through the tick-tock of how, in late January and early February 2015, DSS went from having legal advice that said Robodebt was unlawful, to waving it through the Budget process.
We discuss how something that is 'not consistent with legislation' is actually 'illegal', and the impacts of softening language on the bowels of ministers.
Alison gives us a primer on the Columbia Effect, and how the over-simplification of technical detail led to a disastrous outcome from a meeting between DSS and DHS on 20th February 2015.
This podcast was recorded on Kaurna land, and we recognise Kaurna elders past and present. Always was, always will be.
Intro grab features Counsel Assisting, Mr Derek Greggery KC, and Ms Catherine Halbert, 8 December 2022

Now for some appropriately bureaucratic disclaimers....
While we have tried to be as thorough in our research as busy full time jobs and lives allow, we definitely don’t guarantee that we’ve got all the details right.
If you want rigorous reporting on Robodebt, we recommend the work of Rick Morton at the Saturday Paper, Chris Knaus and Luke Henriques-Gomes at the Guardian, Ben Eltham at Crikey, Julian Bajkowski at The Mandarin, and of course, the Robodebt Royal Commission itself.
Please feel free to email us corrections, episode suggestions, or anything else, at [email protected].
Thanks to PanPot audio for our intro and outro music.
'Til next time!

Previous Episode

3. Culture from the top - DHS and Robodebt

The first of two episodes looking at the role the culture of DHS played in enabling Robodebt to get off the ground, and keep moving, in spite of all the red flags.
In this episode, Danielle talks us through the ways in which Secretary Kathryn Campbell and her leadership team set the tone, and the efforts of later leaders like Renee Leon to fix the culture.
We discuss our own experiences of trying to improve the culture of teams, and how hard you have to work to make safe spaces.
This podcast was recorded on Kaurna land, and we recognise Kaurna elders past and present. Always was, always will be.
Intro grab features Ms Tenille Collins, 3 March 2023.

Next Episode

Bonus Episode: The Robodebt Report is out - early thoughts and reflections

In this special episode, Caroline and Danielle unpack their feelings about the Royal Commission Report, five days after its release.
We also pick through some of the Commissioner's key findings, as they relate to things discussed in previous episodes.
If you are new to the podcast, we suggest you start at the beginning and come to this after you've listened for a bit.
You can find Rick Morton's podcast here, and his books On Money and 100 Years of Dirt.
Intro grab features Ms Colleen Taylor, 13 December 2022