The Federal Parliament has extended a formal apology to the victims of the unlawful Robodebt scheme.

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten presented a motion in the House of Representatives, saying; “A true reckoning is essential for our nation and its legislature to heal. We must confront the past to pave the way for a just future”. 

Apologies were extended to both the victims and the dedicated frontline personnel who navigated the scheme's complexities.

The motion went further, casting a critical spotlight on the former Coalition government and its ministers for their direct involvement in the formulation and execution of the ill-fated scheme.

“What Australians want to hear from the political class, from the people privileged to represent them, is they want to hear a promise that it was wrong,” Mr Shorten said.

“The previous government was a government of law-breakers. Time to apologise to the victims. Time to apologise to the staff. Time to show real repentance for the illegality of your actions.”

The motion garnered 88 votes in favour and 51 votes against, with Coalition MPs rejecting it after a failed attempt to introduce amendments.

Opposition representative Paul Fletcher expressed his party's remorse and offered apologies to Australians who were erroneously burdened by the unlawful debt notices.

“To all affected Australians, we extend our sincerest apologies,” Fletcher conveyed, reflecting the party's acknowledgment of the issue.

However, the Opposition criticised Bill Shorten's motion, labelling it as a partisan endeavour and accusing him of exploiting the matter for political gains.

“He's very interested in a political witch hunt targeting Coalition ministers,” Fletcher said.

“He is not at all interested in a measured consideration of the lessons for good public administration.

“It is, at its core, simply an exercise in political pointscoring.”

Fletcher also voiced concerns that the Parliament's endorsement of the motion could potentially undermine the legal rights of individuals who might be implicated in future legal proceedings related to the scheme.

In recent days, the Greens sought to involve former Prime Minister Scott Morrison in parliamentary discussions over statements he issued following the release of the royal commission's report.

Scott Morrison, who was the social services minister during the scheme's inception, firmly denied any wrongdoing and rebuffed the allegations. 

The Speaker of the House is currently deliberating on the way forward regarding this matter.