Finn Pratt

Robodebt Royal Commission Pratt was one of the most senior public servants to appear before the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme. His evidence included: That he signed a letter to the Ombudsman saying his department was satisfied it was operating legally because he "trusted" the advice his officials provided That Robodebt scheme was "one headache which wasn't my headache" (even though he was the head of the policy department responsible, including signing said letter to the Ombudsman) That he did not believe he had asked how the scheme worked

The Royal Commission reported that Pratt failed to make inquiries about the legality of Robodebt, and that as Secretary he should have. Further, in advising the Ombudsman in 2017 that the scheme was operating legally, Pratt effectively misled the Ombudsman investigation. The Royal Commission also reported that Pratt specifically signed a letter to the Commonwealth Ombudsman in 2017 saying the scheme was lawful, despite not seeing any legal or policy advice or knowing how it worked. Pratt admitted to the Royal Commission that he did not ask for legal advice before making the recommendation. Specifically, the Royal Commission report states:

Awards Pratt was awarded a Public Service Medal in January 2008 for outstanding public service in the development and implementation of significant and innovative reforms to public employment services and workplace relations in Australia. In June 2015, Pratt was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his work on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.