Late Night Live — Full program podcast Ian Dunt's UK, Geoffrey Watson finds the NACC wanting and the power of presidential pardons
Mar 17, 2026
Ian Dunt, UK politics commentator known for sharp takes on Westminster, discusses Keir Starmer’s cautious Middle East stance, Iran’s leverage and the politics of defensive operations. Geoffrey Watson SC, anti-corruption campaigner, critiques the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s secretive handling of Robodebt. Saikrishna Prakash, constitutional law professor, explores the politics, history and reform of US presidential pardons.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Averaging Income Created Unfair Debt Notices
- The scheme averaged annual income, penalising people who earned unevenly within a year and forcing them to disprove debts.
- Geoffrey Watson gives the six-month high-earner example to illustrate systemic unfairness.
Legal Warnings Were Ignored In Robodebt Design
- Many experts warned Robodebt required new legislation, yet senior ministers and officials proceeded without it.
- Watson highlights external law firms and lower bureaucrats advising legislation was necessary but not acted upon.
Royal Commission Found Serious Misconduct Allegations
- Chief Justice Holmes' Royal Commission made serious findings about Scott Morrison's knowledge and conduct, but those findings were sealed and later assessed differently by NAC.
- Watson stresses the gravity: alleged misleading of Cabinet and untrue evidence.
