Centralised Code of Conduct Inquiry Taskforce
Findings from the final report of the Centralised Code of Conduct Inquiry Taskforce were released by the Australian Public Service Commissioner on 13 September 2024. The APS Commissioner established the taskforce and appointed expert Independent Reviewers to conduct the investigations.
The purpose of the taskforce was to support the reviewers to inquire into whether current and former APS agency heads and employees associated with the design and delivery of the Robodebt Scheme breached the APS Code of Conduct. The taskforce began its work in July 2023.
The taskforce found that 12 people breached the Code of Conduct on 97 occasions. The breaches included:
- lack of care and diligence
- lack of integrity in performing duties
- instances of misleading others
- instances of failing to uphold the APS Values.
Following the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme, the secretaries of Australian Government departments agreed on a centralised process to investigate possible breaches of the APS Code of Conduct.
Sixteen people were referred to the taskforce comprising:
- current public servants referred by the Royal Commission
- current and former public servants referred by their agency head
- former APS agency heads initially referred by the Minister for the Public Service, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher.
Find out more
Australian Public Service Commission (2024) Statement by the Australian Public Service Commissioner on the Robodebt Centralised Code of Conduct Inquiry, APSC website, accessed 16 September 2024.
Australian Public Service Commission (2024) Centralised Code of Conduct Inquiry Taskforce Final Report, APSC website, accessed 16 September 2024.