Rick Morton

Rick Morton

@squigglyrick.bsky.social

I write. Author of Mean Streak and other things. Reporter. I write a decent newsletter: https://rick-morton.ghost.io

18.9K followers401 following1.3K posts

Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

Much of the intl reporting on the French protests has been doing my head in. Especially the Australian tendency to miss the point. So I was glad to write about what I saw firsthand at Place de la République last weekend. And have my photo published, too. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/2026/10...

thesaturdaypaper.com.auOn the frontline at the Paris protestsThe visceral anger evident in the widespread looting and destruction across France last week came as a shock even to a country with a long history of violent protest.
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

Went to the October 17 protest in Paris today. Lot of anger, especially about the police actions over previous weeks where students lost hands / an eye. This was at Republique.

Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

It’s almost here!

Tom Studans@maximumwelfare.bsky.social

🚨 ABC has announced 'SHAKEDOWN', their four-part Robodebt drama series based on @squigglyrick.bsky.social's book 'Mean Streak', will premiere November 22. Starring Kate Box, Justine Clarke and Mandy McElhinney:

Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

finally saw The Odyssey last night and am ready to join the conversation from which everyone else has moved on. Justice for the cyclops, minding his own business up there in his lonely fromagerie!

Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

are these people (management) silly or malicious or both

Guardian Australia@australia.theguardian.com

ABC reporter could face disciplinary action over opinion piece, journalists’ union says

theguardian.comABC reporter could face disciplinary action over opinion piece, journalists’ union saysOpinion piece by head of union Michael Slezak sparks disagreement with new ABC director of news, Simon Robinson * Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free weekly media newsletter here ABC management has refused to rule out disciplinary action against a journalist and union office-holder for writing an opinion piece for the Australian Financial Review, according to the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA). The award-winning ABC climate journalist, Michael Slezak, had an article published last week in Nine’s financial newspaper in his capacity as federal president of MEAA. Continue reading...
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

fantastic objection though, stealing it

Tim Lyons@picketer.bsky.social

Just a 60 something man exchanging "hundreds of emails" with a random teenage boy............. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

theguardian.com‘That is a lie’: alleged Alan Jones victim denies family tried to get money out of broadcaster, court hearsYoungest complainant in trial alleges Jones put his tongue in his mouth and touched him on the bottom during visit to shock jock’s property
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

I loathe AI and will personally never use it, in my work or otherwise. Even if it wasn't hideous in almost every way, why would I cede ground to something with precisely zero creative spirit? rick-morton.ghost.io/the-boast-in...

rick-morton.ghost.ioThe Boast in the MachineWhile browsing the Australian Government's contract notices portal AusTender a few days ago – regular readers of this august publication will know that this is one of my principal meditative outlets –...
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

Government promised no access changes to the NDIS before 1 January 2028. They've already started, per the tribunal. And the big 50% social and community participation cuts are now in force. Families tell me they will have to give up care of children. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/health/...

thesaturdaypaper.com.auExclusive: NDIS changes secretly brought forwardAn Administrative Review Tribunal decision reveals that the government is already implementing NDIS access restrictions it promised would not take effect for more than a year.
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

'Power is its own constituency. It exists to protect itself.' Authoritarianism sounds scary, but it arrives bit by bit. We're already doing the work for some grim future. Will be talking about this and more at Sydney Opera House's Curious program this Sunday. www.crikey.com.au/2026/09/28/r...

crikey.com.auDon't think Australia is immune to authoritarianismNobody wakes up to sudden authoritarianism. We relinquish ourselves to it by allowing our favoured government to get away with bending norms and rules. Over time, these bends become clean breaks.
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

they drew the name from a hat and now they don’t know whether that’s the winner or the person eliminated, which imho should disqualify them all

ABC News Australia@news.abc.net.au

Clarence Valley mayoral vote ends in hat-draw and confusion

abc.net.auHat-draw to decide mayoral contest ends in confusionWith the vote tied, Clarence Valley Council turned to drawing a name out of a hat to decide who should be mayor, only to disagree on who the winner was.
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

God I have so many things to say about this

Guardian Australia@australia.theguardian.com

Australia’s top bureaucrats want to block sharing of clips from parliament on social media to save them from ‘ridicule’

theguardian.comAustralia’s top bureaucrats want to block sharing of clips from parliament on social media to save them from ‘ridicule’Secretaries board concerned material posted without proper context as Greens warn ban could result in lack of transparency The nation’s top bureaucrats want the Albanese government to ban video footage from parliamentary hearings being edited and shared on social media by politicians, in an extraordinary attempt to stop online ridicule and abuse. But the Greens say highly paid public service chiefs shouldn’t be allowed to control footage from open parliamentary hearings, warning the proposed controls would limit a key tool of government transparency. The secretaries board – made up of the heads of government departments and chaired by the Prime Minister and Cabinet boss Steven Kennedy – said they were concerned about material from hearings being presented online without proper context. Continue reading...
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

these people are extraordinary in their contempt for the public

Senator David Shoebridge@davidshoebridge.bsky.social

Defence officials today tried to prevent the sharing of public evidence on social media at a hearing into Defence land sales. The fact I am posting this should tell you how that went.

Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

The National Anti-Corruption Commission told a woman it had completed an investigation into a $9m aged care contracting scandal at Dept of Health. When she asked for the required report, they backtracked and changed their story. From me: www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/law-cri...

thesaturdaypaper.com.auExclusive: NACC letters gaslit Meals on Wheels whistleblowerThe NACC is refusing to release its investigation into millions of dollars in Meals on Wheels contracts, instead telling the whistleblower she is confused about the outcome.
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

Under the NACC Act, a completed investigation automatically triggers s.149 of the legislation, which mandates production of a report outlining its investigation, the steps taken, the evidence assessed and either what corrupt conduct was found or, if none was found, why none was found.

Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

In addition to walking back its "complete" investigation, NACC legal wrote to the referrer: "“It is evident that you and your family have experienced events that have significantly impacted you... and there are also current pressures associated with your husband’s serious medical condition." WTF

Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

Former aged care min Anika Wells redacted a bunch of FoI docs -- including my name despite my consent otherwise -- because releasing might chill 'frank and fearless' advice from public servants. The FoI Commissioner rubbished that claim, ordered the release. www.crikey.com.au/2026/08/19/a...

crikey.com.auAnika Wells wanted this information to stay secret. But the FOI commissioner disagreesThe ruling against Wells, related to the $8 million Meals on Wheels scandal, tested the limits of whether 'full and frank advice' from civil servants is impeded by disclosures.
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

Anyway, good luck to the ANU's new Chancellor, former public service commissioner Gordon de Brouwer, who tried to argue before parliament in December that writing down the 'genuine' advice to govt on a yellow sticky note to be thrown away wasn't illegal.

Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

I hate and love this book. Mine, that is. Anita rules.

JOY ROMA@nineislands.bsky.social

G'day Blueys. Got myself some treats yesterday. Im half way through Mean Streak by @squigglyrick.bsky.social Rick Morton. Brilliant absolutely fantastic 👏🏾 Im looking forward to reading Bila Yarrudhanggalandhuray by Dr Anita Heiss. #Books

Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

As the govt seeks deal to pass controversial NDIS legislation to cut $38bn from scheme, agency is being coy about disabled people 'experience testing' a new needs assessment tool. They won't say if their data being signed over to train secret cost-cutting algorithm. www.crikey.com.au/2026/08/11/n...

crikey.com.auThe NDIA wants disabled people to test a new tool. It won’t say if their personal data will train a cost-cutting algorithmThe NDIS agency is encouraging participants to take part in a new assessment tool, but avoided questions on whether personal data will train a budget algorithm designed to slash costs.
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

The concern here is that the agency is not being upfront with participants who may well be signing over their NDIS records to train an algorithm that will end up cutting their funding. Consent forms don't specify what 'analysis' or 'research' is being done.

Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

a glimpse into mind, which I usually would not encourage

Woolgather@woolgatherco.bsky.social

"Kindness, the real version of it ... is twinned to sorrow. Those who know something of sorrow, having communed with their piece of it, develop a sense for just how vast it is, how many shapes it might take and in whom". Close Reading with @squigglyrick.bsky.social: closereading.co/p/close-read...

Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

well you would wouldn’t you

Guardian Australia@australia.theguardian.com

Paddleboarder who rescued woman from Coogee shark attack wins world title in record time

theguardian.comPaddleboarder who rescued woman from Coogee shark attack wins world title in record timeCharlie Verco, who rescued Leah Stewart in June, is ‘stoked’ to claim his fourth championship in Hawaii The Australian paddleboarder Charlie Verco has claimed his fourth world championship in Hawaii in record time – weeks after he rescued a Sydney woman who was attacked by a great white shark. The 25-year-old crossed the line in the gruelling 52km Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard race in 4 hours, 18 minutes and 3 seconds on Sunday, eclipsing the previous mark set by fellow Australian Matt Bevilacqua in 2019 by three minutes. Continue reading...
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

I'll be home in Oz for a couple of months from Aug and booked a few events at Festival of Dangerous Ideas (sold out) and this one for Curious at the Sydney Opera House on the creeping scourge of authoritarianism around the world, institutional cowardice etc. www.sydneyoperahouse.com/curious/can-...

sydneyoperahouse.comCan it Happen Here?The growth of populism and authoritarianism across the globe has alarmed us all. Has Australia dodged the bullet? Or are we just getting started?
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

proud

Guardian Australia@australia.theguardian.com

This huge hairy-legged Australian arachnid may be the fastest spider on the planet

theguardian.comThis huge hairy-legged Australian arachnid may be the fastest spider on the planetA brown huntsman is the quickest of more than 250 species analysed by scientists in the UK and Germany If arachnophobes were not frightened enough by the horrific ability of Australia’s huntsman spiders to drag dead mice up the sides of fridges, they now have another reason. They might be the fastest spiders on the planet. Continue reading...
Rick Morton
@squigglyrick.bsky.social

I’m the large correspondent

Crikey@crikey.com.au

"Either knowingly or through ignorance, Services Australia has been failing for years to process social security payments and benefits across 93 separate matters," writes Crikey's correspondent-at-large Rick Morton. www.crikey.com.au/2026/06/30/s...

crikey.com.auRobodebt spectre invoked in damning report on Services AustraliaThis latest look under the hood of Services Australia reveals an agency incapable of effectively managing some of the most complex legislation in the country.

Rick Morton reposted

Megan Clement
@meganclement.bsky.social

I have an exclusive in today's Observer. Four women who allege they were trafficked by Mohamed Al Fayed are filing complaints with the police watchdog over the Met's handling of their cases. observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

observer.co.ukExclusive: Fayed abuse survivors complain to police watch...Women caught up in former Harrods owner’s network have filed formal complaints to IOPC about the Metropolitan police’s handling of their cases