A book detailing the controversial Robodebt scheme has won a prestigious award at this year's Prime Minister's Literary Awards. Journalist Rick Morton received the $80,000 prize for non-fiction for his book, "Mean Streak." The award recognizes his in-depth exploration of a program that affected approximately 400,000 Australians between 2015 and 2019.

Morton described the emotional toll of writing the book, stating, "It sent me mad." He noted that the process led him to withdraw from social interactions and experience persistent anger. He explained, "[Covering Robodebt] radicalised me in a weird way that I hadn't expected. It's like I saw the world the way it was for the first time in my life."

The Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme revealed that the program was a "crude and cruel mechanism, neither fair nor legal." It utilized a flawed algorithm to demand repayments from welfare recipients, many of whom were falsely accused of owing money. This led to severe consequences, including poverty, mental health issues, and at least seven reported suicides. In 2020, a class action resulted in a $112 million settlement for victims, and earlier this month, the federal government agreed to pay an additional $475 million in compensation.

Morton initially hesitated to write about Robodebt, likening it to the "ring in Lord of the Rings" due to its overwhelming nature. However, after receiving complaints from senior public servants about his reporting on the commission's findings, he decided to proceed with "Mean Streak." He recalled their reactions, saying, "They complained that I'd named them and that I was being mean. They said, 'I was a good public servant.' I'm like, 'Well, not according to the royal commission.' That's what tipped me over the edge into writing the book."

The judges of the Prime Minister's Literary Awards praised Morton's work, calling it an "excellent example of the fusion of thorough journalistic methods with an empathetic understanding of the humans at the heart of the story." They highlighted his ability to distill complex policy issues while centering the experiences of vulnerable individuals.

Other winners at the awards included Michelle de Kretser, who won the fiction category for her book "Theory & Practice," and Geraldine Fela, who received the award for Australian history for "Critical Care: Nurses on the Frontline of Australia's AIDS Crisis."

Morton, who grew up in regional Queensland, reflected on his childhood experiences with welfare systems. He recounted a moment when he witnessed his mother, a single parent, break down after being wrongly issued a debt notice by Centrelink. He wrote, "The suggestion she had taken money she was not owed, the shame of it, harmed her more than the arrears notice itself. We were poor, but at least we had our dignity, you see."

Winning the Prime Minister's Literary Award is a significant milestone for Morton, providing both financial support and recognition from his peers. He plans to use the prize money to spend an additional year in France, where he is working on his first novel, described as a "bureaucratic satire with sci-fi elements."

De Kretser, the fiction winner, expressed that the prize money would help sustain her writing career amid challenging economic conditions for authors. She noted, "It's a terrible time to be a writer. Incomes are so low, cost of living is so high, and book sales are not great."

Both authors emphasized the importance of supporting Australian literature, with De Kretser suggesting that eliminating the GST on books could make them more accessible. She also highlighted the role of arts-funding bodies in supporting writers through grants and residencies.

The Prime Minister's Literary Awards continue to play a crucial role in recognizing and supporting the work of Australian authors, especially during difficult times for the literary community. The full list of winners includes notable works across various categories, showcasing the diverse talent in Australian literature.