Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social
I write. Author of Mean Streak and other things. Day job: senior reporter The Saturday Paper. I write a decent newsletter: https://rick-morton.ghost.io
Pinned
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social
· Sep 29
Writing the book on Robodebt drove Rick Morton mad. Now it's won him $80k
Journalist Rick Morton didn't want to write a book about Robodebt. Now that book, Mean Streak, has won the Prime Minister's Literary Award for non-fiction.
www.abc.net.au
What a ride. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Reposted by Rick Morton
BENDIGO WRITERS FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE: La Trobe Uni pressured #Bendigo Council to send the infamous code of conduct to participants, according to those at a council-run roundtable.
Council confirmed to us it sent the code with specific additions at La Trobe Uni’s request.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Council confirmed to us it sent the code with specific additions at La Trobe Uni’s request.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
FOI documents reveal lead-up to failed Bendigo Writers Festival
A founding director of the widely boycotted Bendigo Writers Festival says major sponsor La Trobe University pressured organisers into sending a controversial code of conduct.
www.abc.net.au
November 5, 2025 at 6:14 AM
BENDIGO WRITERS FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE: La Trobe Uni pressured #Bendigo Council to send the infamous code of conduct to participants, according to those at a council-run roundtable.
Council confirmed to us it sent the code with specific additions at La Trobe Uni’s request.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Council confirmed to us it sent the code with specific additions at La Trobe Uni’s request.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Wish they’d stop pushing the misleading claim that it was only (lol) a $4.1m upgrade.
We asked to sPeAk To tHe MaNaGeR and ........ it actually worked?!?
November 3, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Wish they’d stop pushing the misleading claim that it was only (lol) a $4.1m upgrade.
what total depravity from the perpetrators of the abuse right up to Netanyahu who blames the “reputational damage” on the woman who leaked the video
The government of Israel going after its own citizens who reveal horrific abuses it carries out.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
A leaked video showed an alleged abuse. It's sparked a political fight in Israel
Israel's top military lawyer is behind bars after leaking a video of shocking alleged abuse of a Palestinian man in a military jail. This is why the case has shaken politics and the military to the co...
www.abc.net.au
November 3, 2025 at 8:52 PM
what total depravity from the perpetrators of the abuse right up to Netanyahu who blames the “reputational damage” on the woman who leaked the video
👀👀👀
The Bureau of Meteorology’s new website was rushed out – years overdue and almost $47 million over budget – despite testing scores falling below the standard for release. Read more: satpa.pe/GSlS9rm
November 1, 2025 at 1:17 AM
👀👀👀
Well fuck
Announcing the shortlisted finalists for the Walkley Book Award, supported by Bookoccino: Joe Aston, (Simon & Schuster); Rick Morton, (HarperCollins Publishers); Clare Wright, (Text Publishing)
October 30, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Well fuck
Reposted by Rick Morton
Congratulations @squigglyrick.bsky.social on being shortlisted for the 2025 Walkley Book award for Mean Streak. I'm sure you'd prefer not to have had to write it, but your forensic examination of Robodebt hell means a lot to many. #booksky
Announcing the shortlisted finalists for the Walkley Book Award, supported by Bookoccino: Joe Aston, (Simon & Schuster); Rick Morton, (HarperCollins Publishers); Clare Wright, (Text Publishing)
October 30, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Congratulations @squigglyrick.bsky.social on being shortlisted for the 2025 Walkley Book award for Mean Streak. I'm sure you'd prefer not to have had to write it, but your forensic examination of Robodebt hell means a lot to many. #booksky
Reposted by Rick Morton
New literature review from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet says the government is "manifesting" stigma via the mutual obligations system 🤷
www.pmc.gov.au/news/stigma-...
www.pmc.gov.au/news/stigma-...
October 29, 2025 at 3:40 AM
New literature review from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet says the government is "manifesting" stigma via the mutual obligations system 🤷
www.pmc.gov.au/news/stigma-...
www.pmc.gov.au/news/stigma-...
Feel like I've been writing about new BoM website for 3 years now (because I have, and it is even later than that) but covering the go-live of the new site for this weekend's paper. I've learned some stuff. If you know more, internally or as a user I'm: rickjamesmorton@protonmail.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Feel like I've been writing about new BoM website for 3 years now (because I have, and it is even later than that) but covering the go-live of the new site for this weekend's paper. I've learned some stuff. If you know more, internally or as a user I'm: rickjamesmorton@protonmail.com
Genuinely what the FUCK is wrong with these people. The publishing people, the two Australian directors, everyone else. Between this and the (related) fascism capitulations one learns a lot about the fragility of the human brain.
“Newton, who founded Bloomsbury in 1986,… said there could be a “problem” if AI is used to write entire books. However, he said that readers ultimately look for books written by famous authors.”
I wonder how he imagines that writers become “famous authors”?
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
I wonder how he imagines that writers become “famous authors”?
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
AI can help authors beat writer’s block, says Bloomsbury chief
Publisher last week reported jump in revenue in academic and professional arm thanks to AI licensing deal
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Genuinely what the FUCK is wrong with these people. The publishing people, the two Australian directors, everyone else. Between this and the (related) fascism capitulations one learns a lot about the fragility of the human brain.
On my newsletter: it’s harder to steal My heart than jewels from the Louvre but people have tried during my weakest moments, such as during a John Farnham song at karaoke. rick-morton.ghost.io/down-the-bar...
Down the Barrel of a Vin
Despite appearances, I am not much given to writing about my personal life.
Acres of print about my family, my moods, my eternal and meandering self-reflections have been produced. There is also the ...
rick-morton.ghost.io
October 26, 2025 at 9:23 AM
On my newsletter: it’s harder to steal My heart than jewels from the Louvre but people have tried during my weakest moments, such as during a John Farnham song at karaoke. rick-morton.ghost.io/down-the-bar...
The dishonesty around the use of Robodebt in prosecuting the government’s Freedom of Information secrecy drive is galling in the extreme. I set out some facts that deflate the specious claims being used as cover. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topi...
‘Absurdist leaps of logic’: Robodebt misused in FOI reforms
I am furious. Angry, certainly, about the federal government’s proposed freedom of information laws, which mock the very idea of transparency, but seething especially about the justification for them,...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
October 25, 2025 at 8:18 AM
The dishonesty around the use of Robodebt in prosecuting the government’s Freedom of Information secrecy drive is galling in the extreme. I set out some facts that deflate the specious claims being used as cover. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topi...
My mum and her friend both texted to assure they knew it wasn’t me that robbed the Louvre because I don’t know how to use an angle grinder.
October 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
My mum and her friend both texted to assure they knew it wasn’t me that robbed the Louvre because I don’t know how to use an angle grinder.
I remember getting this game with a box of Coco Pops and it awakened something in me: turning my enemies into sheep.
October 14, 2025 at 11:14 AM
I remember getting this game with a box of Coco Pops and it awakened something in me: turning my enemies into sheep.
“And while I would love to continue splitting hairs about whether a country starving kids is better or worse if the kids are already sick let’s just table that discussion for when I see you in hell.” 🔥
In which John Oliver methodically unpacks how thin it is to claim you’re all about “the truth” when you’re only running essays don’t get properly fact-checked — and don’t hold up to even basic reporting scrutiny www.youtube.com/watch?v=gieT...
Bari Weiss: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
www.youtube.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:47 PM
“And while I would love to continue splitting hairs about whether a country starving kids is better or worse if the kids are already sick let’s just table that discussion for when I see you in hell.” 🔥
Reposted by Rick Morton
Federal agents aren’t trying to keep the peace. They want violence to escalate so that Trump can declare martial law.
They shot a reverend in the head with pepper balls while he was praying in front of an ICE facility. If that doesn’t tell you where we are as a country, nothing will.
They shot a reverend in the head with pepper balls while he was praying in front of an ICE facility. If that doesn’t tell you where we are as a country, nothing will.
October 10, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Federal agents aren’t trying to keep the peace. They want violence to escalate so that Trump can declare martial law.
They shot a reverend in the head with pepper balls while he was praying in front of an ICE facility. If that doesn’t tell you where we are as a country, nothing will.
They shot a reverend in the head with pepper balls while he was praying in front of an ICE facility. If that doesn’t tell you where we are as a country, nothing will.
Thank you! I do find with this story more than anything else it’s the details that really make you see it for the conspiracy it was. And so I did not pull back from those details.
Finished Mean Streak by @squigglyrick.bsky.social It was a great read, harrowing at times, and insanely well researched. The details! 5 stars. Recommended.
October 10, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Thank you! I do find with this story more than anything else it’s the details that really make you see it for the conspiracy it was. And so I did not pull back from those details.
The man bent over his guitar,
A shearsman of sorts. The day was green.
They said, "You have a blue guitar,
You do not play things as they are."
The man replied, "Things as they are,
Are changed upon the blue guitar."
Plus ça change! My newsletter: rick-morton.ghost.io/a-new-three-...
A shearsman of sorts. The day was green.
They said, "You have a blue guitar,
You do not play things as they are."
The man replied, "Things as they are,
Are changed upon the blue guitar."
Plus ça change! My newsletter: rick-morton.ghost.io/a-new-three-...
A New Three Laws of Motion
I night not tell you if I win the Prime Minister's Literary Award for Non-Fiction, but there will be signs.
Ha ha, I'm fully kidding. I did win it. The news was everywhere anyway. I was a push notifi...
rick-morton.ghost.io
October 9, 2025 at 8:31 AM
The man bent over his guitar,
A shearsman of sorts. The day was green.
They said, "You have a blue guitar,
You do not play things as they are."
The man replied, "Things as they are,
Are changed upon the blue guitar."
Plus ça change! My newsletter: rick-morton.ghost.io/a-new-three-...
A shearsman of sorts. The day was green.
They said, "You have a blue guitar,
You do not play things as they are."
The man replied, "Things as they are,
Are changed upon the blue guitar."
Plus ça change! My newsletter: rick-morton.ghost.io/a-new-three-...
to be fair to him, he was far from alone in this
“Unfortunately, it occurs to me that Alan Tudge was not even close to being a genius.” Mean Streak - @squigglyrick.bsky.social
October 8, 2025 at 7:41 AM
to be fair to him, he was far from alone in this
De Brouwer made the exact same argument two years ago after the Robodebt Royal Commission report was delivered. This is how I treated it in Mean Streak: "Grow up."
October 6, 2025 at 8:54 AM
De Brouwer made the exact same argument two years ago after the Robodebt Royal Commission report was delivered. This is how I treated it in Mean Streak: "Grow up."
I am convinced that no one else in the world can sit like a Frenchman. It is a way of being, mastered and deployed with the confidence of a people who have been sitting for thousands of years. I think it might have something to do with all the statues.
rick-morton.ghost.io/a-new-three-...
rick-morton.ghost.io/a-new-three-...
A New Three Laws of Motion
I night not tell you if I win the Prime Minister's Literary Award for Non-Fiction, but there will be signs.
Ha ha, I'm fully kidding. I did win it. The news was everywhere anyway. I was a push notifi...
rick-morton.ghost.io
October 5, 2025 at 8:13 AM
I am convinced that no one else in the world can sit like a Frenchman. It is a way of being, mastered and deployed with the confidence of a people who have been sitting for thousands of years. I think it might have something to do with all the statues.
rick-morton.ghost.io/a-new-three-...
rick-morton.ghost.io/a-new-three-...
The NDIS algorithm is on the way, and no they don't want you giving them any evidence about your disability. In fact, they are going to make it next to impossible. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/health/...
Algorithm to be used for NDIS plans
The government is using an ‘instrument’ designed by the University of Melbourne to reassess support payments for disabled people.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
October 4, 2025 at 9:16 AM
The NDIS algorithm is on the way, and no they don't want you giving them any evidence about your disability. In fact, they are going to make it next to impossible. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/health/...
“We’d like to talk to you about your vehicle’s extended warranty.”
A Canberra man has captured footage of the dramatic moment a magpie plucked his earphone from his ear.
Swooping magpie plucks earphone from cyclist's ear
A Canberra man has captured footage of the dramatic moment a magpie plucked his earphone from his ear.
www.abc.net.au
October 2, 2025 at 9:36 AM
“We’d like to talk to you about your vehicle’s extended warranty.”
It's almost uncouth at this point, but the Walkley Book Award longlist has been announced and Mean Streak is on there with seven other incredible titles. Pity the judges whittling that down to a shortlist of three. www.walkleys.com/2025-walkley...
2025 Walkley Book Award longlist finalists announced - The Walkley Foundation
The Walkley Foundation is delighted to announce the finalists for the 69th annual Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism.
www.walkleys.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:09 AM
It's almost uncouth at this point, but the Walkley Book Award longlist has been announced and Mean Streak is on there with seven other incredible titles. Pity the judges whittling that down to a shortlist of three. www.walkleys.com/2025-walkley...
add it to the list
NDIS can now deliver debts to disabled people if they get things wrong, even though new permanent rules aren't in place
ndis.gov.au/news/10949-n...
ndis.gov.au/news/10949-n...
The NDIS supports transition period is ending | NDIS
The 12-month transition period for adjusting to the NDIS support lists ends on 2 October 2025.
ndis.gov.au
October 1, 2025 at 10:10 PM
add it to the list