Taxpayer-Funded Legal Expenses for Robodebt Reach $1 Million in Past Year

Former ministers of the Coalition government have accumulated an additional $1 million in taxpayer-funded legal expenses related to the controversial robodebt scheme over the past year, according to a statement presented in parliament by Attorney General Mark Dreyfus. The total legal costs for the 2023-24 period have reached $4.2 million, with Scott Morrison leading the expenses at $460,000. Other notable figures include Linda Reynolds, who incurred $166,724, primarily linked to the personal injury claim of her former staffer, Brittany Higgins, and the inquiry into the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann, who has denied the allegations against him. As of May 2023, prior to the release of the robodebt report, it was revealed that $2.5 million had already been spent on legal representation for eight former Coalition ministers at the royal commission. Christian Porter, the former social services minister, faced costs of $217,646, while Stuart Robert incurred $170,690. In contrast, Marise Payne and Paul Fletcher reported minimal expenses of less than $5,000 each. The royal commission, led by Catherine Holmes, deemed the robodebt scheme a “costly failure of public administration,” asserting it was “neither fair nor legal.” In response to the report, Morrison has firmly rejected the findings that criticize his role in authorizing the scheme. Additionally, claims associated with the royal commission into defense and veterans' suicide have totaled $1.37 million, with significant expenses attributed to Andrew Gee, Matt Keogh, and Richard Marles. Reynolds’ legal costs were incurred in relation to Higgins’ claim and responding to subpoenas, and she has alleged that Dreyfus attempted to silence her regarding the matter, which ultimately led to a $2.4 million settlement for Higgins.