Robodebt's financial cost to soar as judge suggests government will have to pay interest

Class action lawyers raise prospect of misfeasance claim against ministers

The robodebt debacle's financial cost looks set to grow after a judge suggested it was likely the federal government would have to pay interest on unlawful debts issued to hundreds of thousands welfare recipients over nearly five years.

And in an escalation of the class action brought by Gordon Legal, lawyers for the firm raised the prospect of a misfeasance in public office claim that could force ministers to front court over the saga.