The infamous Robodebt scheme was rolled out by the Liberal-National Coalition government back in 2015 as a cost-saving measure.

But what transpired was an automated debt recovery system that saw half a million Australian welfare recipients illegally pursued over false debts and some take their lives, in what was later described by the Royal Commission's report as a 'massive failure of public administration' caused by 'venality, incompetence and cowardice'.

• Guest: Rick Morton, award-winning journalist and author of 'Mean Streak' examining the Robodebt scheme
• Producer: Madeleine Hanger