Gordon Legal Launches Robodebt Class Action

20/11/2019

Media Release

Gordon Legal has commenced a class action on behalf of its clients and group members against the government’s Robodebt scheme in the Federal Court of Australia.

Gordon Legal’s investigation into the Robodebt Scheme and the potential class action was first announced by Senior Partner, Peter Gordon, in September 2019.

Under the pressure of the looming class action, Minister for Government services Stuart Robert has this week ‘paused’ a key component of the scheme: no longer raising a debt where the only information is the averaging of ATO income data.

Gordon Legal will proceed to fight on behalf of Australians who have already had their Centrelink benefits unlawfully clawed back through the Federal Government’s scheme.

The class action plaintiffs allege that since commencing in July 2015, Centrelink’s debt recovery program caused significant and unnecessary detrimental impact on thousands of lives.

The law firm is urging anyone affected to come forward as a part of the class action. The action challenges the flawed calculation system that has cost vulnerable Centrelink recipients including students, pensioners, carers and unemployed people tens of millions of dollars since being implemented.

An estimated $500 million has already been taken by the government through this scheme.

The legal action will seek repayment of the unlawfully claimed debts, as well as compensation for those affected by the program.

“The stoppage of further Robodebt claims by Centrelink and the government is just the beginning of the battle.” says Gordon Legal Senior Partner Peter Gordon.

“Our mission now is to ensure that Australians harmed by this predatory scheme are returned to their original position.”

Australians who have been issued with a debt notice since 1 July 2015 under the Robodebt Scheme can register their interest with Gordon Legal at: https://gordon.sonardev.com.au/robodebt-class-action/