15. Behavioural insights in Robodebt: at last, an argument! Artwork

The Westminster Tradition

Unpacking lessons for the public service, starting with the Robodebt Royal Commission.
In 2019, after three years, Robodebt was found to be unlawful. The Royal Commission process found it was also immoral and wildly inaccurate.

Ultimately the Australian Government was forced to pay $1.8bn back to more than 470,000 Australians.

In this podcast we dive deep into public policy failures like Robodebt and the British Post Office scandal - how they start, why they're hard to stop, and the public service lessons we shouldn't forget.

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The Westminster Tradition

15. Behavioural insights in Robodebt: at last, an argument!

November 08, 2023 • Season 1 • Episode 15

0:00 | 26:37

In this episode, Danielle and Alison bring the conflict on their views of behavioural insights. Danielle thinks it's a revelation that government started thinking about its customers and what works for them. Alison thinks it's oversold, and not always deployed in the interests of the people. Caroline wonders if we can all just get along.

Ultimately, the listeners win.

References from the episode include:

If Books Could Kill podcast on Nudge
Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth and happiness (2009).
On the replicability crisis in behavioural economics, see Gideon Lewis-Kraus 'They studied dishonesty. Was their work a lie?' New Yorker.

The intro grab features Jason McNamara (DHS) and Angus Scott KC, 5 December 2022

This podcast was recorded on Kaurna land, and we recognise Kaurna elders past and present. Always was, always will be.

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While we have tried to be as thorough in our research as busy full time jobs and lives allow, we definitely don’t guarantee that we’ve got all the details right.

Please feel free to email us corrections, episode suggestions, or anything else, at thewestminstertraditionpod@gmail.com.

Thanks to PanPot audio for our intro and outro music.

'Til next time!