Robodebt

Written by Sally Syle (Founder Link Locally) September 2025

Many locals in Frankston, along with thousands more right across Australia, were unfairly hit with government debt notices under a scheme now known as Robodebt. These notices accused people of owing money they didn’t actually owe, causing years of stress, hardship, and harm in our community.

Stack of Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme reports

Centrelink sign with debt notice highlighting Robodebt scheme

Many locals in Frankston and the surrounding suburbs, along with thousands more right across Australia, were unfairly hit with government debt notices under a scheme now known as Robodebt. These notices accused people of owing money they didn’t actually owe, causing years of stress, hardship, and harm in our community.

Now, there’s finally some good news: a new $475 million Robodebt compensation settlement is in motion, and it could directly affect people here in Frankston and right across Australia.

What Was Robodebt?

Robodebt was a government program that automatically matched Centrelink records with Australian Tax Office data. Instead of checking real circumstances, it averaged incomes across a year and then sent out debt notices, often wrong ones.

The scheme was later found to be unlawful. By then, hundreds of thousands of Australians, including many here in Frankston and the surrounding suburbs, had already been caught up in it. Families everywhere were left frightened, confused, and in some cases, financially broken.

A Local Voice That Made a Difference

One of the people who stood up against Robodebt was Jeannie-Marie Blake, creator and admin of the popular WTF Mt Eliza Facebook group.

WTF Mt Eliza is a well-known community page where thousands of locals share news, ask questions, and look out for each other. It’s a place where issues big and small get talked about from missing pets and local events, through to national stories that affect everyday people.

From early on, Jeannie-Marie used her voice and platform to call out the problems with Robodebt. She raised awareness about how unfair it was, and she supported locals who were struggling under the scheme.

Her courage in speaking out played a role in exposing the truth — and now her story is being featured in the SBS docu-drama The People vs Robodebt.

You can stream The People vs Robodebt anytime on SBS On Demand.
The People vs Robodebt | Official Trailer | Premieres September 24 | SBS & SBS On Demand | Watch

Who Was Responsible?

The Robodebt Royal Commission investigated how the scheme was allowed to run for so long. Its findings were blunt:

Senior politicians at the time knew, or should have known, that the scheme was unlawful.

Top public servants pushed the program ahead, ignored warnings, and failed to seek proper legal advice.

Frontline staff and community voices, like Jeannie-Marie, raised concerns early, but were ignored.

While the Commission referred some individuals for possible investigation, so far the main outcomes have been the scheme’s cancellation and large-scale compensation for those affected.

Why This Matters to Our Community

Robodebt isn’t just politics or headlines. It’s about the lives of ordinary people across Australia, including right here in Frankston and nearby suburbs. It’s about fairness, accountability, and making sure that when systems fail, people everywhere are compensated and lessons are learned.

At Link Locally, we believe stories like this matter because they remind us of the strength of our community — and the difference one person’s voice can make.

Were You Affected?

The Federal Court is considering a new class action settlement. If you were given a Robodebt notice, you might be eligible for compensation.

Check the latest updates and eligibility information here:
Services Australia – Robodebt Class Action Settlement

Spread the Word

Do you know someone who may have been affected by Robodebt? Please share this article with them — it could help them find out what’s happening and where to go for more information.