The final report from the Robodebt royal commission has savaged the illegal scheme. 

The Royal Commission described the scheme as a crude and cruel mechanism that was neither fair nor legal. 

The report, comprising three volumes and 900 pages, reveals shocking findings and demands accountability.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and government services minister Bill Shorten held a press conference following the report's release, where the PM offered his apologies to the victims of the Robodebt scheme. 

He referred to it as a “gross betrayal and human tragedy” that caused significant harm to thousands of people who did not owe any debts. 

Albanese praised the courage of vulnerable Australians who fought against the injustice, contrasting it with those who tried to shift blame and cover up the scheme's illegal actions.

The report exposed a list of ministers and senior bureaucrats who were found responsible for numerous events that failed the public interest. 

It criticised their lack of interest in ensuring the scheme's legality and their disregard for the impact it had on welfare recipients. 

Commissioner Catherine Holmes expressed dismay over the revelations of dishonesty and collusion to conceal the scheme's shaky legal foundation.

The report also highlighted the failure of institutions such as the Commonwealth Ombudsman's Office, the Office of Legal Services Coordination, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in preventing the implementation of Robodebt. 

Strengthening oversight agencies and improving processes within the Department of Social Services and Services Australia were among the key recommendations to prevent such schemes in the future.

Albanese emphasised the need for a change in social attitudes toward welfare recipients and criticised the anti-welfare rhetoric used by politicians. 

He called for a narrative shift away from the divisive taxpayer versus welfare recipient rhetoric, urging politicians to lead the change in public perception.

The impact of Robodebt was devastating, causing stress, anxiety, financial hardship, and, tragically, even loss of life. Shorten acknowledged the victims and criticised the previous federal government for subjecting vulnerable Australians to this harmful program. 

The report's recommendations include the possibility of criminal and civil legal action against those responsible, including potential prosecutions and dismissals. 

Albanese and Shorten refrained from disclosing the names of individuals listed in the sealed section of the report, but said the government will carefully consider the recommendations and provide a comprehensive response in due course.

The issue of compensation for the 526,000 victims remains a question. 

While the report acknowledged the harm suffered by individuals, it deemed a general compensation scheme not feasible. Further legal remedies and claims are being considered by legal experts based on the report's findings.

The report also exposed the failures within the Australian Public Service (APS) and called for reforms to strengthen legal practices and improve collaboration across agencies. 

The APS Commission has established an inquiry mechanism to investigate alleged breaches of the code of conduct by public servants involved in the Robodebt scheme. Sanctions and consequences for those responsible are being considered.