The automated matching of tax and Centrelink data to raise debts against welfare recipients for money the coalition government claimed to have overpaid was ruled unlawful in 2019.

But the Morrison government has never detailed who was accountable for the scheme and which ministers knew of its problems.

Albanese, who will outline details of the inquiry at a media conference in Sydney today, believes key questions remain unanswered after a $1.8 billion settlement between robodebt victims and the government was reached in 2021.

The royal commission is expected to be tasked with establishing who was responsible for the scheme, what advice was used in its implementation and the complaints handling processes.

It would also look at the cost to taxpayers of the debacle and harm caused to those targeted.

The coalition has previously argued $750 million in reimbursements have been made and problems have been addressed.

Labor took the plan for the inquiry to the federal election, arguing robodebt was a “human tragedy”.

The Australian Council of Social Services has previously backed the plan, calling it appropriate and proportionate.

-AAP