Kathryn Campbell

For the Canadian karateka, see Kathryn Campbell (karateka).

Major General
Kathryn Campbell
AO, CSC & Bar
Campbell in 2021
Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
In office
22 July 2021 – 1 July 2022
Preceded byFrances Adamson
Succeeded byJan Adams
Secretary of the Department of Social Services
In office
18 September 2017 – 21 July 2021
Preceded byFinn Pratt
Succeeded byRay Griggs
Secretary of the Department of Human Services
In office
7 March 2011 – 17 September 2017
Preceded byFinn Pratt
Succeeded byRenée Leon
Personal details
NationalityAustralian
Alma materUniversity of Southern Queensland, University of New South Wales
OccupationPublic servant
Civilian awardsOfficer of the Order of Australia
Military service
AllegianceAustralia
Branch/serviceAustralian Army Reserve
Years of service1989–2021[1]
RankMajor General
Commands2nd Division (2018–21)
5th Brigade (2014–16)
Sydney University Regiment (2007–09)
Battles/warsOperation Okra
Military awardsConspicuous Service Cross

Kathryn Jane Campbell, AO, CSC & Bar is a former Australian public servant[2] and a former senior officer in the Australian Army Reserve.[1]

Campbell was the Secretary of the Department of Human Services from March 2011 to September 2017. She played a key role in the illegal debt recovery scheme known as Robodebt. At two Senate committee inquiries, Campbell controversially shifted the blame of Robodebt to the victims, and refused to accept people had died by suicide after receiving illegal Robodebt notices. The Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme was "scathing" of Campbell, finding she had intentionally misled cabinet about the scheme, and took steps to prevent the unlawfulness of Robodebt being uncovered.[3]

Campbell moved onto the Secretary of the Department of Social Services from September 2017 to July 2021. She became Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) from July 2021 to July 2022.[4][5] In July 2022, she was removed as Secretary of DFAT,[6] and was appointed to the defence portfolio as an advisor to the AUKUS program, while retaining the remuneration of her previous role. In July 2023, Campbell was suspended without pay from the Australian Public Service, following the findings against her at the Royal Commission.[7][8] She resigned later that month.

  1. ^ a b "Biography of Secretary, Kathryn Campbell AO CSC and Bar". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference quit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Knaus, Christopher (7 July 2023). "Robodebt royal commission final report: key findings on Scott Morrison, Stuart Robert, Kathryn Campbell and Alan Tudge". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023.
  4. ^ McIlroy, Tom (7 September 2017). "Immigration boss Michael Pezzullo to lead new Home Affairs Department". Canberra Times. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference secannounce was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Hurst, Daniel (21 December 2022). "Public servant grilled over robodebt scheme appointed to Aukus role worth $900,000 a year". The Guardian Australia. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference abc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference guardian was invoked but never defined (see the help page).