<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Two people involved in the former </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/coalition" rel="" target="" title="Coalition"><span>Coalition</span></a><span> government's unlawful </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/robodebt" rel="" target="" title="robodebt scheme "><span>robodebt scheme</span></a><span> have been found to be corrupt, although ex-prime minister </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/scott-morrison" rel="" target="" title="Scott Morrison"><span>Scott Morrison</span></a><span> has been cleared.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A National Anti-Corruption Commission inquiry today found two of six people referred to it for investigation engaged in corrupt conduct, while it cleared the remaining four.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Those cleared included former Liberal prime minister Morrison, who initiated the scheme while in the role of social services minister.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-politics-new-nationals-leader/3e705dea-b553-47e3-9fad-9fe32d90d84b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Matt Canavan wins vote to become new Nationals leader</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The watchdog found ex-departmental general manager of business integrity Mark Withnail carried out corrupt conduct by intentionally misleading the Department of Social Services during the preparation of a cabinet submission in 2015.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It also found department deputy secretary Serena Wilson carried out corrupt conduct by misleading the Commonwealth Ombudsman during an investigation in 2017.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Morrison was not found to be corrupt, with his failure to realise bureaucratic advice was misleading put down to shortcomings by federal departments.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/two-found-corrupt-over-robodebt-but-scott-morrison-cleared/a130d90d-b62a-4bbf-8198-2c095e3d4025" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The corruption watchdog did not make recommendations in its final report, which followed referrals from the royal commission into the robodebt scheme.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The watchdog initially chose not to investigate the referrals before the controversial decision was overturned.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/independent-petrol-stations-in-regional-queensland-running-dry-mayor-says/7f93e7bc-b09d-49bb-9e55-20fc5d2f2220" target="_blank"><strong><span>Independent petrol stations in regional Queensland running dry, mayor says</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The over-ruling came after National Anti-Corruption Commission Inspector Gail Furness found commission head Paul Brereton engaged in misconduct as he had ties with one of the six officials but did not adequately recuse himself from decisions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Between 2016 and 2019, the former Coalition government's robodebt scheme recovered more than $750 million from almost 400,000 people.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many welfare recipients were falsely accused of owing the government money and the program was linked to several suicides.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Albanese government has promised it will release a sealed section of the robodebt royal commission's final report after the conclusion of the investigation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The illegal robodebt scheme was a betrayal of everyday Australians, resulting in human tragedy and untold misery," Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The royal commission was clear in its findings and we must work to ensure this can never occur again."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue. In the event of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><strong><span> </span></strong><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><strong><span> </span></strong><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><strong><span> </span></strong><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><strong><span> </span></strong><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a><strong></strong></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><strong><span> </span></strong><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a><strong></strong></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><strong><span> </span></strong><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a><strong></strong></li></ul></div></div>