‘What the public is entitled to know’: Former judge slams robo-debt sealed section

Anthony Whealy, KC, previously a NSW Supreme Court judge and now the chair of the Centre for Public Integrity, Australia’s leading anti-corruption think tank, is pressing for transparency over the robo-debt royal commission findings. He insists that the names of those recommended for potential prosecution should be disclosed to the public, advocating for open justice. Whealy, supported by other top legal personalities, emphasizes the importance of the public’s right to know who has been referred to various agencies, such as the corruption watchdog. The royal commissioner, Catherine Holmes SC, referred several individuals to agencies, including the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Australian Federal Police. However, she advised against sharing that section in parliament to prevent jeopardizing future legal proceedings. Geoffrey Watson SC, director of the Centre for Public Integrity, sees sealing this section as an injustice, claiming it casts doubt on all involved. Former PM Scott Morrison and ex-ministers Alan Tudge and Stuart Robert faced criticism in the report. Morrison vehemently denied any negative conclusions drawn against him.

This is a summary of “‘What the public is entitled to know’: Former judge slams robo-debt sealed section” published in Sydney Morning Herald on July 13, 2023, written by Angus Thompson. Read it in full here.