This bill became law on Feb 14th, 2025.
Government & democracy
Federal department and agency leaders must make sure their organisation helps the OmbudsmanThe watchdog office that investigates complaints about many Commonwealth agencies and can now demand better help and access to records., and public service staff must also do their best to help with inquiries, investigations and follow-up work.
The RobodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. Royal CommissionThe major inquiry that investigated robodebt and recommended stronger oversight powers and better access to agency records. exposed gaps that let agencies delay or withhold help from watchdogs, and in-person record inspections slowed investigations. This bill requires agency leaders, staff and some contractors to help the OmbudsmanThe watchdog office that investigates complaints about many Commonwealth agencies and can now demand better help and access to records. and IGISThe watchdog for intelligence agencies, which this bill says must get reasonable help when making preliminary inquiries., and lets the OmbudsmanThe watchdog office that investigates complaints about many Commonwealth agencies and can now demand better help and access to records. access electronic records remotely.
Between 2016 and 2019, the unlawful robodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. scheme sent false welfare debt notices to hundreds of thousands of Australians, and the Royal Commission into the Robodebt SchemeThe major inquiry that investigated robodebt and recommended stronger oversight powers and better access to agency records. later found that weak oversight and slow access to agency records had helped serious failures go unchecked. After the commission reported in July 2023, the government introduced this bill in October 2024 to force agencies and some contractors to assist watchdogs and let the OmbudsmanThe watchdog office that investigates complaints about many Commonwealth agencies and can now demand better help and access to records. inspect electronic records remotely, and it became law in February 2025.
The main criticism was not of stronger oversight itself, but that the bill’s drafting and legislative machinery were needlessly complex and should have been checked more carefully for technical problems. That concern came mainly from the Coalition, which still said it would not oppose the bill, while some crossbench support was paired with calls for deeper public-service culture change beyond legislation alone.
Hon Mark Dreyfus KC, MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 14 Feb 2025
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
1 recorded amendment or procedural vote was found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.
Passage speed
127 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Federal department and agency leaders must make sure their organisation helps the OmbudsmanThe watchdog office that investigates complaints about many Commonwealth agencies and can now demand better help and access to records., and public service staff must also do their best to help with inquiries, investigations and follow-up work.
The OmbudsmanThe watchdog office that investigates complaints about many Commonwealth agencies and can now demand better help and access to records. can now remotely access electronic records for an investigation, so agencies do not have to wait for officials to attend in person to inspect material.
Agency leaders and government contractors can be fined up to 10 penalty unitsThe standard unit used to calculate a fine in Commonwealth law, so the actual dollar amount can change over time. if they do not give reasonable help for the OmbudsmanThe watchdog office that investigates complaints about many Commonwealth agencies and can now demand better help and access to records. to use remote record-access powers.
The stronger help and access rules also flow to other OmbudsmanThe watchdog office that investigates complaints about many Commonwealth agencies and can now demand better help and access to records. roles, including complaints about private health insurers, Australia Post, overseas education providers and VET student loan providers.
Heads of intelligence agencies must give reasonable help to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and SecurityThe watchdog for intelligence agencies, which this bill says must get reasonable help when making preliminary inquiries. when the Inspector-General is making preliminary inquiries.
The introduction of this statutory duty is intended to reinforce the responsibility of agency heads to ensure their agency acts in good faith and proactively assists the Ombudsman in the performance of their functions. It is also intended to make it clear that responsibility to assist the Ombudsman rests with every member of the public service. The statutory duty will apply in relation to the performance by the Ombudsman of any of their functions, including when making preliminary inquiries, conducting investigations, or following up on the implementation of their recommendations.Oversight Legislation Amendment (Robodebt Royal Commission Response and Other Measures) explanatory memorandum
This item would insert new section 14A which would empower the Ombudsman to obtain access to documents or other records by remote means. This new section is intended to modernise the information-gathering powers of the Ombudsman and ensure the Ombudsman has the powers necessary to undertake full, independent and transparent investigations efficiently and consistent with contemporary practices.Oversight Legislation Amendment (Robodebt Royal Commission Response and Other Measures) explanatory memorandum
New subsection 14A(5) would provide that it is an offence for a person to fail to provide an authorised person with reasonable facilities and assistance for the effective exercise of the remote access power under subsection 14A(1). The maximum penalty for the offence is 10 penalty units. The penalty is the same as that imposed by a similar offence in subsection 33(3) of the Auditor-General Act and the new offence in section 14 of the Ombudsman Act (inserted by item 3 of this Bill).Oversight Legislation Amendment (Robodebt Royal Commission Response and Other Measures) explanatory memorandum
extending the new and enhanced duties and powers contained in the Bill to apply to all statutory offices held by the Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act – including, for example, the Defence Force Ombudsman (DFO) and the Overseas Students Ombudsman (OSO)Oversight Legislation Amendment (Robodebt Royal Commission Response and Other Measures) explanatory memorandum
(4) In making preliminary inquiries of the head of an intelligence agency under this section, the Inspector‑General is entitled to all reasonable facilities and assistance that the head of the agency is capable of providing.Oversight Legislation Amendment (Robodebt Royal Commission Response and Other Measures) Act 2025 final Act text
Context
Between 2016 and 2019, the unlawful robodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. scheme sent false welfare debt notices to hundreds of thousands of Australians, and the Royal Commission into the Robodebt SchemeThe major inquiry that investigated robodebt and recommended stronger oversight powers and better access to agency records. later found that weak oversight and slow access to agency records had helped serious failures go unchecked. After the commission reported in July 2023, the government introduced this bill in October 2024 to force agencies and some contractors to assist watchdogs and let the OmbudsmanThe watchdog office that investigates complaints about many Commonwealth agencies and can now demand better help and access to records. inspect electronic records remotely, and it became law in February 2025.
Royal Commission into the Robodebt SchemeThe major inquiry that investigated robodebt and recommended stronger oversight powers and better access to agency records. is established
Letters patent created a royal commissionThe major inquiry that investigated robodebt and recommended stronger oversight powers and better access to agency records. to investigate the robodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. scheme and how it was designed, approved and administered.
Hansard ↗RobodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. royal commissionThe major inquiry that investigated robodebt and recommended stronger oversight powers and better access to agency records. report is delivered
Commissioner Holmes delivered a 1,052-page report with 57 recommendations, including stronger duties to assist the OmbudsmanThe watchdog office that investigates complaints about many Commonwealth agencies and can now demand better help and access to records. and better powers to obtain information.
Hansard ↗Government introduces the bill to implement robodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. oversight recommendations
The Attorney-General introduced the bill, saying the royal commissionThe major inquiry that investigated robodebt and recommended stronger oversight powers and better access to agency records. had shown strong and effective oversight was essential to protect the community in its dealings with government.
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing its parliamentary passage as a response to the commission's oversight findings.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal Assent makes the oversight changes law
Royal Assent turned the bill into an Act, locking in new duties to help the OmbudsmanThe watchdog office that investigates complaints about many Commonwealth agencies and can now demand better help and access to records. and new remote access powers for electronic records.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Referred to Committee (21/11/2024): Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (30/01/2025)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was not of stronger oversight itself, but that the bill’s drafting and legislative machinery were needlessly complex and should have been checked more carefully for technical problems. That concern came mainly from the Coalition, which still said it would not oppose the bill, while some crossbench support was paired with calls for deeper public-service culture change beyond legislation alone.
Criticism was limited and mostly about drafting, scrutiny and whether legislation alone can change behaviour.
Complex drafting and poor legislative practice
The bill was criticised for using contingent amendmentsChanges to a bill that only take effect if another related bill or condition also passes. and unnecessarily complex legislative machinery, raising concern that even a straightforward reform bill could contain technical problems if not properly examined.
Legislation may not be enough on its own
A broader reservation was that stronger oversight powers alone may not prevent future harm unless the public service also becomes more transparent, compassionate and accountable in practice.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Recorded amendment and procedural votes grouped by chamber. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.
Senate
Defeated 13 to 24. Support came from Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals.
The Senate rejected the amendment, so the bill proceeded without the added RobodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. condemnation and calls for further action.
These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Mark Dreyfus supports the bill because it implements the robodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. royal commissionThe major inquiry that investigated robodebt and recommended stronger oversight powers and better access to agency records.'s recommendations and gives oversight bodies stronger powers to hold government agencies accountable.
Read in Hansard ↗Zoe Daniel says she will support the bill because it strengthens oversight and implements key robodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. royal commissionThe major inquiry that investigated robodebt and recommended stronger oversight powers and better access to agency records. recommendations.
Read in Hansard ↗Ryan supports the bill and says it will implement important robodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. royal commissionThe major inquiry that investigated robodebt and recommended stronger oversight powers and better access to agency records. recommendations by strengthening the OmbudsmanThe watchdog office that investigates complaints about many Commonwealth agencies and can now demand better help and access to records. and Taxation OmbudsmanThe office that oversees the tax system and handles complaints about tax administration, which this bill gives stronger help and access powers. so agencies must assist investigations.
Read in Hansard ↗Miller-Frost strongly supports the bill, saying it is a necessary reform to prevent another robodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. by adding stronger oversight, transparency and human review to debt recovery.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
5 speakers · 6 contributions · 5 support
“The bill is not just a response; it is a reform. It introduces comprehensive changes aimed at reinforcing the accountability and transparency of our institutions, especially in matters affecting the vulnerable. It seeks to rebuild trust in our system, particularly in how the government interacts with those who rely on social security.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Albanese Labor government took swift action when the report was handed down. In November 2023 we confirmed acceptance and in-principle acceptance of all 56 of the royal commission recommendations, and today I stand in support of the Oversight Legislation Amendment (Robodebt Royal Commission Response and Other Measures) Bill. This is the bill that implements our response to recommendations 21.1 and 21.2 of the royal commission's report. It focuses on bolstering the oversight capabilities of the Commonwealth Ombudsman and the Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“By further investing in better decision-making, through implementing these two recommendations from the royal commission's report, we improve public trust in how governments implement policy and prove that strong institutions are fundamental to government. We must always aim to meet and exceed the needs and expectations of the community. The only way to do this is through consistently proving ourselves to the public as having integrity, accountability, acting lawfully, being fair and transparent. This bill will bolster the powers and capability of oversight bodies so that we can ensure this. I commend this bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Mark Dreyfus on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Minister's second reading speech
Mark Dreyfus supports the bill because it implements the robodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. royal commissionThe major inquiry that investigated robodebt and recommended stronger oversight powers and better access to agency records.'s recommendations and gives oversight bodies stronger powers to hold government agencies accountable. He says those changes are needed so a failure like robodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. cannot happen again.
“This bill delivers on recommendations of the robodebt royal commission. It will bolster the powers and capabilities of oversight agencies to ensure a failure like the robodebt scheme can never happen again, because central to the institutional checks and balances that could have made a difference to the outcomes of the robodebt scheme are independent and external oversight bodies.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Dreyfus supports the bill, saying it will prevent any repeat of robodebtThe unlawful welfare debt scheme that issued false debt notices and is the reason this bill exists. by strengthening oversight of Commonwealth agencies and giving the OmbudsmanThe watchdog office that investigates complaints about many Commonwealth agencies and can now demand better help and access to records. stronger investigatory powers. He says it delivers key royal commissionThe major inquiry that investigated robodebt and recommended stronger oversight powers and better access to agency records. recommendations and helps restore public trust in government.
“The robodebt scheme that was established by the former Liberal government and the devastating harm that it caused cannot be allowed to be repeated. The public deserve to have the confidence that agencies are acting lawfully and with integrity and remain accountable for their actions. This bill ensures that government agencies are subject to stronger and more rigorous oversight. In doing so, it demonstrates the Albanese government's commitment to restoring public trust in our institutions and ensuring that people remain at the centre of policy development and government service delivery.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“The robodebt scheme will surely go down in the history of the country as one of the most shameful chapters of mal- and misadministration. At the time of the release of the commissioner's report, the minister for the NDIS and Services Australia said these eloquent and heartfelt words:”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 support
“Nevertheless, the coalition's position is that it is appropriate to scrutinise the legislation through a brief committee process. On too many recent occasions, the coalition has found that legislation which appears to be straightforward and uncontentious has, on closer examination, either contained errors or not operated as intended. A routine scrutiny process will provide stakeholders with the opportunity to identify issues and potential improvements to the relevant parliamentary committee. It is appropriate that stakeholders have that opportunity.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 2 support
“In closing, I will support this bill, but I urge the government to go further. Australians need reassurance that all the recommendations of the royal commission into robodebt will be enacted, including those it endorsed but did not include in its final report.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“A robust, active and vigorous National Anti-Corruption Commission will add further value by creating a culture in government of transparent decision-making, scrupulous record-keeping and public accountability. I acknowledge that the relevant checks and balances do seem to be working and that the NACC's decision was reviewed by the inspector and will now be independently reassessed. An independent 'eminent person' will now decide whether or not the commission should in fact investigate the matter. This is an important opportunity for the NACC to do exactly what the public expects and wants it to do—act decisively to protect public trust in our government and our Public Service. The country looks to see that our premier integrity body has the ability and the desire to seek out and root out corruption in our government. I commend this bill to the House, and I trust that the amendments herein will improve the capacity of the Ombudsman to do the same.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (30/01/2025)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (21 Nov 2024): Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (30 Jan 2025)
APH bill page notes
