Officials from Charles Sturt University (CSU) have come out swinging on behalf of vice-chancellor and ex-department secretary Renée Leon in the wake of a government taskforce inquiry that made adverse findings against her.
The report found that of the four allegations made against the former Department of Human Services (DHS) secretary, there was enough evidence to demonstrate 13 breaches of the APS Code of Conduct by Leon during the life cycle of robodebt.
Leon led the department (now known as Services Australia) from 2017 until 2020, and oversaw the eventual winding up of the illegal welfare debt-collecting scheme before she was sacked.
The centralised code of conduct inquiry taskforce report was produced by Stephen Sedgwick and Penny Shakespeare, who had been given delegated powers by the Australian Public Service commissioner to undertake the special investigation last year, once the robodebt royal commission report had been tabled.
The taskforce report outlined that no sanctions (such as reprimands, fines, demotions or sacking) could be imposed against Leon given she was no longer employed by the APS, and the nature of the taskforce inquiry was an employment law matter.
CSU chancellor Dr Michele Allan issued a statement shortly after the taskforce report went live. She said she was disappointed in the APSC’s adverse decision against Leon and that the university “fully supported her courageous and ultimately successful efforts to help end the robodebt program”.
“Professor Leon’s actions in helping to end the robodebt program were in keeping with the integrity she demonstrated as a dedicated public servant for 30 years, and which she has carried forward into her present role to the benefit of our students, staff and communities,” Allan said.
“We fully support… [the VC’s] transparent testimony at the subsequent royal commission, and her full and truthful account of her actions.”
In his own statement attached to the taskforce findings, APS commissioner Gordon de Brouwer chose to publicly name and shame Leon, along with her predecessor Kathryn Campbell, and provide some detail about the adverse findings against the women.
“The findings of breach of the code by the two secretaries… is critical to ensure public accountability and trust in the public service,” de Brouwer said.
“The public needs to know that the most senior of public servants, those who have enormous power and influence in the public service, are accountable for their actions, especially in the case of demonstrated, numerous and serious failures of public administration.”
The commissioner explained that while the inquiry was not designed to punish any respondent who was investigated and was focused on restoring “their professional lives outside the APS”, no responsible person should be allowed to avoid accountability for their behaviour just because they had resigned first.
“Had those individuals not already resigned or retired from the public service, they would have likely attracted the sanctions [including reprimands, fines and demotions] and, in some instances, termination of employment,” de Brouwer said of those the taskforce determined had breached the APS code and had since left their government role.
“The public service has taken responsibility for its part in the failure of the robodebt scheme and individuals have been held accountable for their actions within the employment context and borne the consequences,” he added.
Leon issued her own 294-word statement on Friday, saying she stood by her actions to achieve definitive legal advice about the illegal scheme and bring the robodebt program to an end.
“Robodebt had already been in operation for two years when I became secretary of Human Services,” Leon said.
“When legal doubts were raised, I sought definitive advice from the solicitor-general.
“I acted as expeditiously as possible to convince a government that was wedded to the robodebt program that it had to be ceased. When ministers delayed, I directed it be stopped. Two weeks later, my role as secretary was terminated by a government that did not welcome frank and fearless advice.
“I acted with integrity and in accordance with the standards of the public service I served for 30 years. I testified before the robodebt royal commission, which found that I acted in good faith, and which did not refer me to the APSC or the National Anti-Corruption Commission or any other investigative process.”
invinctius on
God, these people put forth a program that pushed people to breakdown and suicide…
“Had they not resigned they would have faced fines and demotions or even termination” – Jesus fucking christ.
2 Comments
Officials from Charles Sturt University (CSU) have come out swinging on behalf of vice-chancellor and ex-department secretary Renée Leon in the wake of a government taskforce inquiry that made adverse findings against her.
The report found that of the four allegations made against the former Department of Human Services (DHS) secretary, there was enough evidence to demonstrate 13 breaches of the APS Code of Conduct by Leon during the life cycle of robodebt.
Leon led the department (now known as Services Australia) from 2017 until 2020, and oversaw the eventual winding up of the illegal welfare debt-collecting scheme before she was sacked.
The centralised code of conduct inquiry taskforce report was produced by Stephen Sedgwick and Penny Shakespeare, who had been given delegated powers by the Australian Public Service commissioner to undertake the special investigation last year, once the robodebt royal commission report had been tabled.
The taskforce report outlined that no sanctions (such as reprimands, fines, demotions or sacking) could be imposed against Leon given she was no longer employed by the APS, and the nature of the taskforce inquiry was an employment law matter.
CSU chancellor Dr Michele Allan issued a statement shortly after the taskforce report went live. She said she was disappointed in the APSC’s adverse decision against Leon and that the university “fully supported her courageous and ultimately successful efforts to help end the robodebt program”.
“Professor Leon’s actions in helping to end the robodebt program were in keeping with the integrity she demonstrated as a dedicated public servant for 30 years, and which she has carried forward into her present role to the benefit of our students, staff and communities,” Allan said.
“We fully support… [the VC’s] transparent testimony at the subsequent royal commission, and her full and truthful account of her actions.”
In his own statement attached to the taskforce findings, APS commissioner Gordon de Brouwer chose to publicly name and shame Leon, along with her predecessor Kathryn Campbell, and provide some detail about the adverse findings against the women.
“The findings of breach of the code by the two secretaries… is critical to ensure public accountability and trust in the public service,” de Brouwer said.
“The public needs to know that the most senior of public servants, those who have enormous power and influence in the public service, are accountable for their actions, especially in the case of demonstrated, numerous and serious failures of public administration.”
The commissioner explained that while the inquiry was not designed to punish any respondent who was investigated and was focused on restoring “their professional lives outside the APS”, no responsible person should be allowed to avoid accountability for their behaviour just because they had resigned first.
“Had those individuals not already resigned or retired from the public service, they would have likely attracted the sanctions [including reprimands, fines and demotions] and, in some instances, termination of employment,” de Brouwer said of those the taskforce determined had breached the APS code and had since left their government role.
“The public service has taken responsibility for its part in the failure of the robodebt scheme and individuals have been held accountable for their actions within the employment context and borne the consequences,” he added.
Leon issued her own 294-word statement on Friday, saying she stood by her actions to achieve definitive legal advice about the illegal scheme and bring the robodebt program to an end.
“Robodebt had already been in operation for two years when I became secretary of Human Services,” Leon said.
“When legal doubts were raised, I sought definitive advice from the solicitor-general.
“I acted as expeditiously as possible to convince a government that was wedded to the robodebt program that it had to be ceased. When ministers delayed, I directed it be stopped. Two weeks later, my role as secretary was terminated by a government that did not welcome frank and fearless advice.
“I acted with integrity and in accordance with the standards of the public service I served for 30 years. I testified before the robodebt royal commission, which found that I acted in good faith, and which did not refer me to the APSC or the National Anti-Corruption Commission or any other investigative process.”
God, these people put forth a program that pushed people to breakdown and suicide…
“Had they not resigned they would have faced fines and demotions or even termination” – Jesus fucking christ.
How about prison.
Imprisonment is the response here.