The main public sector union has called for Kathryn Campbell to have her membership of the Order of Australia revoked, after findings that she breached her obligations as a senior public servant throughout the robodebt scheme.
The Public Service Commission on Friday revealed Ms Campbell had breached the APS Code of Conduct a dozen times while she oversaw the unlawful scheme as Human Services secretary.
Findings included that she had failed to investigate legal concerns about the scheme, seek legal advice and keep her minister informed of criticisms about the program.
She was also found to have created a culture which prevented the consideration of concerns about the scheme, and to have caused its resumption in 2017, when she knew or ought to have known about inaccuracies in debts raised.
Ms Campbell has rejected all of the Public Service Commission's findings, telling The Australian she had relied on advice from the Department of Social Services over the course of the scheme, and that she felt she had been scapegoated.
But the Community and Public Sector Union has condemned Ms Campbell for her role in the scheme, calling for her honour to be stripped.
Ms Campbell was appointed an officer of the Order of Australia in 2019 by the Governor-General, in recognition of "distinguished service to public administration through senior roles with government departments, and to the Australian Army Reserve".
The commission's findings, which represent the final chapter of the government's formal robodebt response, have raised questions about whether she will be allowed to keep this honour.
"Kathryn Campbell is not someone who is deserving of honours or accolades of any kind," CPSU national secretary Melissa Donnelly said.
"[She] deserves consequences. Consequences for devastating the lives of vulnerable Australians, consequences for putting public service workers through so much trauma, consequences for breaching the APS Code of Conduct and consequences for shattering public trust in government.
"The CPSU fully supports any efforts to revoke the honours given to those who orchestrated this cruel and illegal scheme."
The Council of the Order of Australia - which includes Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher, prominent community members, and state and territory public servants - is responsible for considering revocations.
"The Council does not discuss individual considerations," a spokesperson for the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General said.
The union did not comment on Renee Leon, who succeeded Ms Campbell as Human Services secretary in 2017. She was found to have breached the APS code 13 times.
Ms Leon, who was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2013, has expressed disappointment with the commission's findings and defended her integrity.
