Ex-minister Stuart Robert 'takes responsibility' for Robodebt implementation, admits defending it despite knowing it could be unlawful

Former minister Stuart Robert has told the Robodebt royal commission he takes "absolute responsibility" for the implementation for the illegal scheme. Key points: Mr Robert said he defended the scheme out of "cabinet solidarity" He said more questions should have been asked about Robodebt and he remained "flabbergasted" that legal advice had not been ordered sooner He denied saying the government would "double down" on Robodebt once he had been given advice that it was unlawful The former government services minister has also revealed he went on television programs defending the program as a "dutiful cabinet minister", despite being aware it could be unlawful. Robert says he acted to shut scheme down Mr Robert disagreed with statements former Department of Human Services secretary Renee Leon made to the royal commission that he had been slow to stop the scheme and told her: "Legal advice is just advice." Mr Robert said he had a very strong view the numbers used in Robodebt "didn't add up" but he could not tell cabinet he was not confident of the scheme without legal advice.