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Robo-debt should never have made it into the real world, but once it did, its gatekeepers became greedy and turned the scheme on full throttle.In late 2016, without warning, more than 100,000 people across Australia were swamped by life-altering debts stretching back years.That became a political problem. A scheme politicians thought was a neat and tidy solution to their own ambitions quickly spiralled into a humanitarian disaster. But instead of fixing it, the politicians decided to spin it. Against all the evidence, they tried to convince people robo-debt was working; that the illegal practice was fair and good.Today, we speak to one of the people whose job was to create this alternate reality: Rachelle Miller, the former media adviser to human services minister Alan Tudge.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Former media adviser, Rachelle MillerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did robo-debt ever make it out of the lab?We may never get a perfect answer to that question. But there is one person who can help piece together how this astounding period of public service fakery was uncovered.You see, the flaws in robo-debt were not discovered by any government department or oversight body, like the ombudsman's office. They were revealed by a group of people on Twitter: lawyers, journalists and welfare recipients.They found a pattern of systemic issues with the scheme and pursued it with dogged determination until it led to a royal commission. Today, we speak to one of them, senior lecturer in administrative law at La Trobe University, Darren O'Donovan, about how people outside the system built the very first working model of how public service embraced robo-debt. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Senior lecturer in administrative law at La Trobe University, Darren O'DonovanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Those who imagined, designed and delivered robo-debt put their personal ambition above the wellbeing of the people they were meant to serve. But there were some on the frontline who knew from the very beginning that this government shakedown was wrong.One, Colleen Taylor, came forward at the royal commission. While senior leaders failed to recall, or refused to say how robo-debt happened, she told the truth and helped crack one of the biggest scandals in Australian government history wide open.Today we speak to Centrelink worker-turned-whistleblower Colleen Taylor about what really happened when robo-debt was first rolled out.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Former Centrelink worker Colleen Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia was gaslit by its own government. From ministers to public servants – they backed something that was illegal, just to shake down innocent people for money, then lied about it for years.There will likely be criminal prosecutions, civil action and more accountability to meat out.But Robo-debt was also born out of a cultural rot inside politics and our public service – it’s a culture that could go on to do more damage if it isn’t stopped.So today we speak with the minister who will have to implement many of the recommendations and pursue many of the findings in this royal commission – Bill Shorten – about what this report means, and if the machinery of government can truly be fixed.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Minister for Social Services and the NDIS, Bill Shorten.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're bringing you something special. The first episode of our new podcast: Read This.In the first episode of the show, host Michael Williams sits down with author Helen Garner. She invites us over for cake and conversation about what she’s writing about, how she problem solves and the inspiration she gets from watching her grandson’s footy training.Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram and TwitterGuest: Helen GarnerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of the biggest stories and characters in Australian politics could soon be under the scrutiny of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.It’s already had hundreds of referrals, with more to come. But not everyone is warmly welcoming the new corruption watchdog to federal politics.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on how our politicians have greeted the new NACC.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

El Niño is coming again and Australia is vulnerable. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization declared this week that the extreme weather event has begun, and the impacts will be felt across our health, ecosystems and economy.Today, climate scientist, contributor to The Saturday Paper and a lead author for the IPCC Joëlle Gergis – on what’s headed our way and what we have to do to avert crisis. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper and a lead author for the IPCC, Joëlle GergisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the dawn of a new era in federal politics, with a brand new anti-corruption watchdog now operating and promising to help combat corruption in Canberra.In its first 48 hours since opening on Saturday, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had already received 44 referrals for investigation.But there are concerns the way the NACC has been designed could mean it will struggle to meet the public’s expectations for exposing corruption.Today, senior lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Kieran Pender on why the NACC isn’t designed to protect whistleblowers.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Senior lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, Kieran PenderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ‘Yes’ campaign has intensified its efforts this week, with thousands of people turning out for rallies nationwide on Sunday to back the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.It’s the kind of visible community campaigning that ‘Yes’ organisers have long been promising would ramp up as the referendum approaches.But it came at the end of a difficult week for the campaign, with some major opinion polls showing support is declining – and may have fallen behind the ‘No’ vote.Today, associate editor of The Saturday Paper Marty McKenzie-Murray, on what’s going on inside the ‘Yes’ campaign as it struggles to secure the necessary majorities.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Associate editor of The Saturday Paper Marty McKenzie-MurraySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once there was public outcry from some quarters that ICAC would even investigate Gladys Berejiklian – one of the most popular premiers in NSW history.Flowers were left at her electoral office after she stepped down, and talkback radio callers were furious with ICAC for precipitating her resignation.But now we know that Berejiklian was seriously corrupt when she was treasurer and later the premier.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on Gladys Berejiklian’s conduct and why it points to deeper misconduct in our politics.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.