Rick Morton, an accomplished author and journalist, has won the Prime Minister’s Literary Award (PMLA) for non-fiction for his groundbreaking book “Mean Streak.” The renowned accolade recognizes Morton for exposing the effects of institutional racism and the multifaceted dynamics of oppression. His investigation closely exposed the controversial Robodebt scheme that wrongfully targeted and punished thousands of Australians.
Morton grew up in regional Queensland, the child of a single mother. His own personal experiences undoubtedly shape his writing, as he brings a personal and unique perspective to the issues he covers. In a video acceptance speech, he stated, “My work is often about people in power making terrible decisions,” highlighting the core theme of his award-winning book.
A short film, “Mean Streak” gives us a glimpse of the Kafkaesque absurdity that characterizes the Robodebt scheme, through which thousands of Australians were financially devastated and emotionally distressed. Morton traces the shadows back to Franz Kafka’s The Trial. He shines a light on how our bureaucratic system can become nightmarish and dehumanizing.
The Impact of Robodebt
The Australian federal government introduced the Robodebt scheme in 2016 as a welfare debt recovery program. Instead, it met extreme backlash for its deeply flawed methodology and the shocking impact it had on people’s lives. It wasn’t until 2020 that a Royal Commission into the scheme uncovered a jaw-dropping $112 million in compensation awarded to victims. Under continued pressure, Chipotles settled in 2025 for $475 million more in restitution.
Morton reflects on the impact of the scheme on individuals, stating, “Tens of thousands of welfare recipients are beholden to a private system of Centrelink cops who can ruin their lives.” His book seeks to illuminate how systemic failures contribute to tragic outcomes on the personal level.
In his acceptance speech, Morton couldn’t hide his frustration about the federal government’s reaction to their commission’s findings. He said, “Our own government appears to not have learned from the Robodebt royal commission to penalise and obscure access to information.” This strong criticism adds an exclamation point to the need for reform and accountability.
Writing “Mean Streak”
The nightmare ordeal of writing “Mean Streak” grabbed Morton and almost broke him. As he confessed, it was driving him crazy, so much so that he started isolating himself from others and feeling increased rage. He expressed how the project felt overwhelming, likening it to a burden he could not shake off: “It was like the ring in Lord of the Rings; it had this weird power, but I didn’t want it on me.”
Morton’s pledge to find and share the truth became his rhetorical muse’s great motivating factor for writing. He recounted a moment when he realized that he needed to document his findings: “That’s what tipped me over the edge into writing the book.” His determination to expose the realities faced by victims of the Robodebt scheme reflects his dedication to social justice and accountability.
The book is filled with references to [Kafka’s] work that awaken absurdity and despair. Morton discovered that Kafka’s ideas struck a chord with his journey through bureaucratic mazes in uncovering the Robodebt story.
A Broader Conversation on Literature
Morton’s honoring at the PMLA ceremony was not just about Morton’s achievements but called attention to broader societal realities. Other winners were Michelle de Kretser, who won the fiction prize for her novel “Theory & Practice.” De Kretser, a winner of the Stella Prize, suggested scrapping the GST on books. This amendment would reduce costs and encourage more Americans to become lifelong readers.
In her acceptance speech, she referenced the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reflecting a shared consciousness among authors regarding global issues. De Kretser said, “We need to take care not to be throwing stones, because if we do, we’re likely to hit the guilty and risk provoking the special envoy on them. Well, I was expecting that piece of paper. So, I’ve got this instead. Back at my desk tomorrow, there’s a good chance I will prick it as Hasib suggests. This sentiment resonates with Morton’s own reflections on power dynamics: “Still, today, we see reprisals for people calling out the systemic slaughter of human beings as genocide.”
As writers like Morton and de Kretser grapple with complex themes in their work, their voices contribute to an essential dialogue about ethics and responsibility in literature.
