A message to you from PM&C Secretary Davis and APS Commissioner de Brouwer on the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme

Colleagues

We would like to talk with you about the release last Friday of the findings from the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.

We want you to know the Australian Public Service takes the Royal Commission’s findings seriously.

We are committed to working through the findings in an open and constructive way with you—the APS—and with the Australian public.

We know the vast majority of public servants are committed to providing quality advice and dedicated service consistent with the APS values and code of conduct. Australians see the important and meaningful work that you and your agencies do every day, and the professional and diligent way you do it.

Following the release of the report on Friday, a taskforce led by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Attorney-General’s Department, and the Australian Public Service Commission will be established to support Ministers in preparing the Government’s response.

Separate to this, the APSC will oversee an independent process to determine if public servants with adverse findings have breached the APS Code of Conduct. This process will be established under the APS Commissioner’s powers in the Public Service Act 1999. It is designed to be fair, independent, and consistent.

The APSC has engaged Mr Stephen Sedgwick AO to exercise these powers as an Independent Reviewer. Mr Sedgwick will make inquiries and determinations about whether an individual referred for inquiry has breached the APS Code of Conduct.

We will continue to talk with you about the Government’s response and what it means for you. Integrity and stewardship are integral to the work of the APS, our responsibilities serving the community, and the trust the community places in us. 

We echo the Prime Minister’s thanks for the many public servants who assisted the Commission. We reiterate the continuing importance of an effective working relationship between the APS and the Government.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to embodying the APS values in every aspect of your work.

We recognise this message and the Royal Commission’s findings may have an impact. Support is available. We encourage you to contact your agency’s Employee Assistance Program. Alternatively, the following services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

• Beyond Blue Support Service – Provides immediate, short-term counselling, advice and referral services. Phone 1300 224 636, webchat, or search their forum for free.
• Lifeline Crisis Support – This is a confidential service providing you with support for when you feel overwhelmed, for when you have difficulty coping, or are thinking about suicide. Phone 13 11 14 or chat to a crisis supporter online.

13YARN – Provides crisis support for First Nations people. Phone 13 92 76 or view their services online at www.13yarn.org.au.