STATEMENT: The $1.2b settlement reached in the #Robodebt class action falls short of delivering true justice or accountability for victims of the illegal scheme.

Full statement here: https://auwu.substack.com/p/meaningful-justice-still-denied-to

Today’s settlement wasn’t justice; it was hush money. Delivered just prior to scheduled public hearings of the #Robodebt class action, this move denies participants the opportunity to see their government held to account for its illegal actions.

While much has been made of the “biggest payout in class action history”, on a per-member basis this equates to a mere $280 in damages. No amount of money can adequately compensate the families of those who took their lives.

A key feature of the settlement is that the g'ment admits no liability in paying damages. This is unacceptable. Whether by Royal Commission or further civil action, we will make this g'ment answer for the deaths this scheme has caused; for the irreparable harm it has inflicted.

Here, @gordonlegal_au owes the 400,000 class members an explanation of precisely what reasoning they applied in agreeing to this settlement. Instead, they are focusing on the headline-grabbing size of the settlement, rather than the broader injustices inherent to their agreement.

Finally: this result, however complicated, does not belong to politicians or political parties. It belongs to all of us. It has been a long march towards justice for #Robodebt, and it will not end until those responsible are compelled to face the public and the law.