National Anti-Corruption Commission Announces Robodebt Scheme Findings

On March 11, 2026, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) released its final report into the Robodebt scheme, following a nearly year-long investigation known as Operation Myrtleford. The commission examined six individuals referred by the Robodebt Royal Commission to determine if their actions constituted serious corrupt conduct.

The report found that two former senior public servants engaged in serious corrupt conduct. Mark Withnell, a former general manager at the Department of Human Services, was found to have intentionally misled the Department of Social Services during the preparation of a 2015 cabinet submission. Serena Wilson, a former deputy secretary, was found to have intentionally misled the Commonwealth Ombudsman during a 2017 investigation into the scheme. Despite these findings, the NACC stated it would not refer either individual for criminal prosecution, citing a lack of sufficient admissible evidence to prove charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

The NACC cleared the remaining four individuals, including former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and former departmental head Kathryn Campbell. The commission determined that while Morrison initiated the program, his failure to realize that departmental advice was misleading was due to institutional shortcomings rather than personal dishonesty or bad faith. Following the release of the report, the federal government announced it would move to table the previously sealed chapter of the Royal Commission’s report.