Leigh Sales gives Centrelink the treatment she usually reserves for politicians on 7.30.

If there’s one thing Australians should’ve realised a very long time ago, it’s that Leigh Sales isn’t the kind of person you pick a fight with.

The journalist has made an entire career from cutting through spin and churning out facts, putting her guests on the spot and holding so many to account.

So you can imagine what happened when she took Centrelink to task after finding herself waiting on the phone to them for more than two hours.

"Does Centrelink ever answer its phone? 2 hours on hold last week fruitlessly, heading in the same direction today," she tweeted.

Centrelink was quick to reply, realising it's probably not fabulous PR to have one of the most recoginsed political journalists tweeting about its service.

@leighsales Hi Leigh, what are you calling about? We'll try to help you here. Just remember, it's not safe to share personal info on Twitter

— Centrelink (@Centrelink) February 8, 2017

As forthright (sarcastic?) as ever, Sales replied, "Thanks for the tip" and proceed to ask for a number that will be answered in less than 10 minutes -- assuming one exists.

It doesn't.

Listen: Mia Freedman interviews Leigh Sales on the No Filter podcast. Yes, sometimes the interviewer becomes the interviewed. (Post continues after audio.)

And if Malcolm Turnbull can't weave his spin past Sales' laser-sharp focus, Centrelink was well and truly deep in the hole it had dug itself.

@Centrelink Thanks for the tip. Please provide a number to phone that will be answered inside 10 minutes.

— Leigh Sales (@leighsales) February 8, 2017

@leighsales Hi Leigh, call wait times can vary. However, if you can tell us what you're calling about we may be able to help direct you.

— Centrelink (@Centrelink) February 8, 2017

Which is debatable, but the tales of my Centrelink experiences would take more time to articulate then you'd spend waiting on the phone to them.

Unable to deliver the goods, they resigned to replying ,"families line open til 8pm on 136 150, otherwise our other lines reopen 8am. Our average answer time is around 16 mins."

@Centrelink I've told you what I want: a phone number that will be answered in fewer than two hours.

— Leigh Sales (@leighsales) February 8, 2017

@leighsales Families line open til 8pm on 136 150, otherwise our other lines reopen 8am. Our average answer time is around 16 mins.

— Centrelink (@Centrelink) February 8, 2017

Which, in the year of alternative facts, seems to be a fitting claim.

Sales ended her frustrations, writing, "Surprising number of people in my twitter feed sharing stories of appalling waiting times to get through to Centrelink on the phone."