The Australian government risks repeating the failures associated with the robodebt scandal unless it introduces stronger safeguards for automated decision-making, the Centre for Public Integrity has warned. The independent thinktank’s report, “Computer Says No”, examines how government agencies use algorithms and artificial intelligence to make decisions and calls for urgent reform.
The report makes eight recommendations, including mandatory audits and a public register of all government use of automated decision-making. It also proposes an independent oversight body with authority to monitor, audit and investigate that use. The centre says people may not know whether an automated system has influenced a decision affecting them.
Chief executive Dr Catherine Williams said the report was prompted in part by concerns over the government’s integrated assessment tool, which helps determine the home support older Australians are entitled to receive. The tool has been found to routinely underestimate people’s needs and entitlements, while government rules prevent aged care assessors from overriding incorrect algorithmic decisions, according to the report.
The Attorney-General’s Department has been developing a framework for automated decisions, following a public consultation that ended in January 2025. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland did not say when a draft would be completed or released. She said the government was committed to safe and responsible use of these systems and that the framework would include transparency obligations, safeguards and appropriate human oversight. It is also intended to implement recommendations from the robodebt royal commission.
An October report by the Commonwealth Ombudsman found that the government had not followed the royal commission’s transparency recommendations when developing and rolling out the integrated assessment tool. Rowland did not say whether the proposed framework would apply retrospectively.
Independent MP Kate Chaney introduced a private member’s bill in September to create a legislated, mandatory framework. She said the department’s consultation had concluded almost two years earlier and urged the government to keep progressing the work. Chaney also argued that departments lacked consistency and transparency in decisions about using automated systems, and said people should be able to understand how decisions were made and how to seek a review.
Sources: The Guardian Technology.