A Commonwealth Ombudsman investigation has found that the government's automated aged care assessment tool, the Integrated Assessment Tool, produces unfair outcomes and erodes public trust. Ombudsman Iain Anderson said algorithmic decisions cannot currently be overridden, even when clinically inappropriate. The investigation also found the department wrongly told assessment providers that automated outcomes could be changed, and that there was no public information explaining how the tool reaches its results. The Ombudsman made 10 recommendations, including legislative changes allowing overrides.
An algorithm used by the federal government to assess older Australians' care needs is unreasonable and unfair, according to an investigation by the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Iain Anderson. The 104-page report found assessors are barred from overriding the tool's funding recommendations, even when they are clinically wrong. It also found there is no public explanation of how the algorithm reaches its outcomes and that recommendations from the robodebt royal commission on transparency were not followed. The Ombudsman says the law must change so assessors can correct clinically incorrect decisions. The Department of Health and Ageing has been contacted for comment.
The federal government has resumed some paused parts of its Targeted Compliance Framework, which tracks jobseekers' mutual obligations. The components were halted in July 2024 after the federal ombudsman found almost 1,000 payments had been unlawfully cancelled. A Senate estimates hearing later revealed the number affected was in the vicinity of 30,000. Employment secretary Simon Duggan said compensation for eligible people has begun. Remaining measures allowing payment reductions or cancellations are expected to resume in early 2027, once safeguards are in place.
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Former Labor MP Robert McClelland has been appointed National Anti-Corruption Commissioner, replacing Paul Brereton, who resigned two years before his term ended. Justice McClelland has been a Family Court judge since 2015 and was previously attorney-general under prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. Christopher Savundra, a former Australian Securities and Investments Commission executive director, will serve as deputy commissioner. Both take office in January 2027. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the selection process was open, competitive and merit-based, and the parliamentary oversight committee approved both appointments unanimously.
Former Labor attorney general and federal court judge Robert McClelland has been named the new boss of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Attorney General Michelle Rowland said he was chosen through an open, merit-based selection process. Christopher Savundra has been appointed deputy commissioner. Both will begin five-year terms on 11 January next year, subject to approval by the governor general. The appointments follow the resignation of Paul Brereton, who quit in May amid criticism of his performance. Independent MP Helen Haines said the appointments offer a chance to rebuild public confidence.
