Posted by 
"Nothing can unfortunately turn back the clock and make it as it was before the previous government systemically broke the law and caused harm but it is vindication."
That's what Government Services Minister Bill Shorten believes the royal commission report into the robodebt scandal will provide to the victims of the "crude and cruel" scheme.
On Friday, royal commissioner Catherine Holmes handed down the report that lashed the scheme as "neither fair nor legal" and was perpetuated through "venality, incompetence and cowardice".
READ MORE: Robodebt report recommends criminal prosecutions
Shorten, who rallied for the royal commission before the Albanese government won the federal election last year, said the report is vindication for the victims who suffered the inexplicable debts and for the families of those who took their lives as a result.
"They feel that the royal commission has at least heard their side of the story and it does take a little bit of weight off people's shoulders," he said.
"Really for the whole time, this scheme was in for four and a half years the old government used to say that the critics were wrong, the government was right there, was nothing untoward to see here and the old government gas-lit a nation and its citizens."
One of those victims is Queensland mum Kath Madgwick, who lost her only child Jarrad to suicide as a result of the robodebt scheme.
"To be acknowledged, it's very vindicating and it makes me feel it was worth the fight," she said on Friday.
"I think there's going to be effects from this that may last generations. I certainly feel like the effects will last me til I take my last breath."
READ MORE: Scott Morrison 'failed' his responsibility over robodebt, report finds
The report made a total of 57 recommendations to strengthen the public service, improve the Department of Social Services and Services Australia, and reinforce oversight agencies.
It also contained a sealed section – not available to the public – referring individuals for civil and criminal prosecution.
Former ministers including Scott Morrison, Stuart Robert and Alan Tudge rejected the report's findings after it was handed down.
Morrison in particular blasted the findings that he "failed" responsibility and allowed cabinet to be "misled".
Shorten said the report's findings would lead any "self-respecting politician" to be "humiliated".
"This is their political tombstone, this is what is going to be etched on it, that a group of them abused their power," he said.
"It's the right of Mr Morrison and his former ministerial colleagues to say they did nothing wrong but I actually think the facts contradict their narrative.
"A group of them have got one side but hundreds of thousands of people who were the victims of having the law been broken against them by their own government, they would beg to differ with Mr Morrison."
READ MORE: Two men recover in hospital after brazen daylight shooting on Sydney street
Shorten was questioned as to whether compensation would fix the damage done by the scheme after at least 800 people took their lives.
But he said people want the government not to break the law again.
"The commissioner says about compensation going forward that in her opinion she thinks that general scheme would be more costs to run than the money it would pay," he said.
He added for the victims of the scheme it is rebuilding trust in the government.
"There was a pathology of unlawfulness at the heart of the Morrison and former Coalition governments which is shocking and the ends does not justify the means in politics and that's something for all of us to remember," he said.
"Government's here to help not hurt people."
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.
