Former social services minister Christian Porter takes responsibility for Robodebt failures at royal commission

Former Liberal minister Christian Porter has told the Robodebt royal commission he takes responsibility for the failed scheme. Key points: Christian Porter was social services minister between 2015 and 2017 Former human services minister Alan Tudge earlier said only Mr Porter or then prime minister Malcom Turnbull could have stopped the scheme Public hearings continue in Brisbane tomorrow As social services minister between 2015 and 2017, Mr Porter, and then-minister for human services Alan Tudge, oversaw the Centrelink welfare debt recovery scheme's implementation. Mr Porter said he never saw legal advice during his time as minister and agreed with senior counsel assisting Justin Greggery KC that department officials had a "duty" to bring it to his attention. The commission heard Mr Porter met with Department of Human Services officials and asked whether there was "sound legislation underpinning … the system as it was operating". Talking points 'inaccurate' and 'untrue' Mr Porter also admitted he gave "inaccurate" and "untrue" information to the media while defending the scheme after Robodebt recipients came forward in late 2016 and early 2017.