Robodebt Royal Commission: Advocate-Correspondent

Hello, I'm Tom.

I've been a volunteer welfare advocate in the community since 2017, providing practical advice on accessing resources and legal support to hundreds of other Centrelink recipients with organisations such as the Australian Unemployed Workers' Union (AUWU). I have also been a prominent spokesperson and organiser in the anti-poverty movement during this time, driving significant public interest in welfare rights and policy issues through my Twitter, including many appearances on nightly news bulletins, print/digital media and radio. My JobSeeker payments have mainly supplemented this work during this time.

I have been independently providing extensive, live coverage of proceedings of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme. To date, I have spent over 200 hours live-tweeting and providing analysis on the hearings, which will continue until March 2023. At an average of ~5,000 words a day, I've created instant and accurate summaries of complex administrative and social security law discussions, creating millions of impressions and significantly boosting public understanding of and engagement with the Royal Commission.

It's full-time, highly demanding work, which salaried professionals are otherwise doing - I need your help. My work has become an integral part of the reporting ecosystem. I am offering a uniquely-qualified and vital perspective in representing and platforming the views and analysis of Robodebt victims and the grassroots movement that brought down the program, which may otherwise go unheard in the final telling. We have a historic opportunity to ensure substantive reform, which must be appropriately informed if it is to happen. I have set up this page so that I can be secure in pursuing this work until the Commission's conclusion - it would be impractical for me to fulfil Mutual Obligations or have this work recognised in the Centrelink system over that time. This irony is not lost on me, my friends. Please help if you can!