Sally Neighbour to depart in a couple of months time.
Sally Neighbour to depart Four Corners
After a distinguished and award-winning career with the ABC, including seven years as Executive Producer of Four Corners , Sally Neighbour has decided to leave the public broadcaster later this year.
Neighbour’s other roles with the ABC have included reporting for news and 7.30 , overseas postings in Beijing and Hong Kong, presenting Lateline , working as a senior investigative journalist on Four Corners and being Executive Producer of 7.30.
She has been EP of Four Corners since 2015.
Sally Neighbour:
It’s been an extraordinary honour and privilege to lead this amazing program for the past seven years and to work with the fearless, dedicated team of journalists and program makers who keep it at the forefront of Australian journalism.
I have absolutely loved the role and the people I work with and I want to thank them all for their tireless commitment to holding power to account in this country and abroad.
I know Four Corners is safe and strong in their hands. For me, it’s time for a long holiday and some new adventures.
ABC Managing Director David Anderson:
Sally Neighbour’s career, both as an award-winning reporter and as Executive Producer of Four Corners , stands as an exceptional contribution to Australian journalism.
She has led a ground-breaking team of journalists at Four Corners and under her leadership the program has delivered some of the most important public interest investigations of recent years.
I would like to congratulate her on all of her achievements.
Acting Director News Gavin Fang:
Four Corners has for 60 years been Australia’s premier investigative reporting program and Sally Neighbour has played a key role in that achievement.
She has brought to the public hundreds of important and compelling stories which have had a significant impact on this nation.
She has been a warrior of public interest journalism, fearless in holding the powerful to account on behalf of the Australian public.
John Lyons, Head of Investigative & In-Depth Journalism:
During her seven years as Executive Producer of Four Corners Sally Neighbour has been a powerful advocate of investigative journalism.
Under Sally’s tenure the program has exposed injustices across the Australian community. During her time, four Royal Commissions were called following investigations by the program – into the banking and financial services industry, water theft in the Murray Darling Basin, the aged care industry and the NT’s youth justice system. Under Sally’s leadership the program has won a remarkable 17 Walkley Awards.
After 60 years, Four Corners is the longest-running current affairs program on Australian television. Sally has ensured that after six decades it is as committed as it ever has been in its determination to inform the Australian public.
Despair and Defiance: The Battle for Ukraine
Monday 21 March at 8.30pm
https://twitter.com/neighbour_s/status/1504315967429820417
“We’re pleading with the whole world to hear us.” Military volunteer
On Monday, Four Corners takes you into a city under siege - Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.
“The Ukrainian army and the Ukrainian spirit prevail. We are highly motivated, but Putin’s number of jets, bombers and other weapons significantly outnumber ours.” Ukrainian member of parliament
With the city enduring indiscriminate bombing, and with Russian forces attempting to encircle the capital, Sarah Ferguson reports on the despair and defiance of the Ukrainian people resisting the Russian invasion.
“Putin only responds to force. He only responds to power. This is why Ukraine is still standing. Remember, nobody was giving us more than 24 to 48 hours.” Ukrainian member of parliament
In the centre of the city, inside the heavily fortified compound where the Ukrainian government is holed up, the Deputy Prime Minister gives a fiercely defiant interview.
“They will not succeed. Kyiv will not be taken by the Russians. Otherwise, we will all die here, together with the Russians.” Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister
All over the city there are checkpoints and military volunteers who only a few short weeks ago had been living quiet civilian lives.
“My home is here, my children are here, my family is here. I cannot be afraid. I have no right to be afraid. I have a lot to protect.” School teacher/military volunteer
Joining them are foreign fighters who say they cannot sit back and watch as Russia tries to remake the map.
“I’m a long way from home, but obviously no one likes to see genocide and civilians killed and it’s wrong … Putin has shown that he doesn’t care about it and it needs to be stopped.” British military volunteer
With the intensifying attack, the Four Corners team filmed powerful scenes near the front line where Russian forces have been firing at civilians trying to escape.
“The smoke over there is the Russian front line and the sound we can hear is mortar shells landing over there. Meanwhile, the evacuation of the desperate residents of Irpin continues, taking with them all they can carry and the memory of the terror of the last few days.” Sarah Ferguson
Surreal scenes play out across the city. In one maternity hospital a mother hands her newborn son to his father. The special forces soldier, dressed for battle, still finds joy in the moment and a determination to live.
“No matter what, it’s the best day of my life.” Special forces soldier & new father
The message over and over again is that the people of this city will fight to the end.
“If they dare come here, we will burn them to ashes. To ashes. Not one will be left.” Volunteer fighter
The battle for Kyiv is strategic and deeply symbolic, but it’s only one part of this massive Russian invasion. The Four Corners team travelled south to the famous port city of Odessa, to meet the commanders and soldiers on this new front line as Russia seeks to control the Black Sea.
“It’s hard to say what the plan is. But our plan is to defend our country. We don’t need to second guess Putin’s plans.” Mayor
As Vladimir Putin seeks to create a new order in Europe, one of the few diplomats left in Ukraine says the consequences of this war are terrifying.
“My imagination is almost limitless…If Ukraine falls, we will be in a big trouble.” Ambassador
Despair and Defiance, reported by Sarah Ferguson goes to air on Monday 21st March at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 22nd at 11.00pm and Wednesday 23rd at 10am. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEDT, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.
UPDATE 21/3: an article on the exclusive interview with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk
Wild Weather: Our planet under threat
Monday 28 March 8.30pm
“Dangerous climate change is no longer something we can talk about as being off in the future. It’s arrived.” Climate scientist, USA
The devastating floods that wreaked havoc in Australia’s eastern states and the massive destruction caused by the Black Summer fires have rammed home the terrible cost of extreme weather and its aftermath. But Australia is not the only nation experiencing wild, dangerous and unprecedented weather.
“There’s no way to have a positive spin on it, it’s just far worse than we all expect it’s going to be.” Ecologist, UK
On Monday, Four Corners brings you a sobering report from the BBC’s Panorama program that charts increasing extreme weather ‘events’ around the world.
“The water started rising. It was terrible. We didn’t know what to do. We couldn’t stay in the house, but there was nowhere else to go.” Flood survivor, Germany
In Germany last year, hundreds of people were killed in floods when record rainfall saw rivers bursting their banks, washing away buildings that had stood since medieval times.
“I’m incredibly angry… we’ve worked very hard on technology and we also know how to forecast floods at a local level…so why so many people died… it’s so very frustrating.” Professor of Hydrology, UK
Soaring temperatures in the northern summer smashed Canada’s records and ferocious wildfires, reminiscent of our own Black Summer, burned a town to the ground.
“I looked through the window and the clouds were sort of incredibly dark with black bits and burning bits in them…it just got darker and darker and then Gordon said, ‘there is no phone there is no internet there is no power, nothing’.” Wildfire survivor, Canada
From cyclone ravaged farmland in India to Australia’s wheatbelt and the dust storm choked skies of South Korea, the program shows the impact of extreme weather.
“It looks like the end of the world. In this kind of weather, I feel that I really, really don’t want to be outside.” Resident, South Korea
Climate scientists warn that these are not random acts of bad luck, they are a symptom of our changing climate.
“There is no doubt about that, and I think we cannot beat around the bush anymore and be nice to each other and say ‘maybe, maybe, maybe it’s not happening’. Let’s get that clear.” Climate policy researcher, India
Research commissioned for the program and undertaken by the UK Meteorological Office, shows that this weather is only likely to increase.
“What happens into the future is, assuming continued emissions, then these temperatures, these extreme temperatures become a regular occurrence. We would see this every year.” Climate scientist, UK
Those pushing for global government action on climate change say the world needs to be prepared for an increase in this wild weather and act now.
“Even if we got to net zero tomorrow, the impacts that have been set in chain will continue…and that’s why making sure that people have defences against flooding, they have defences against a whole range of climate change is very important.” President, COP21
Wild Weather, A BBC Panorama production, goes to air on Monday 28th of March at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 29th at 11.00pm and Wednesday 30that 10am. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners .
https://twitter.com/neighbour_s/status/1506764799526707200?s=20&t=0ShbUJVVQxgV3F5CNIgCmA
Ghosts of Timor: The dark stain on Australia’s proudest military mission
Monday 4 April 8.30pm
“Something occurred on that battlefield that day…The truth has never come out.” Investigator
Two decades ago, Australia’s military forces led an international armed intervention in East Timor to quell a wave of sickening violence that claimed more than a thousand lives. Backed by the United Nations, cheered on at home and applauded internationally, the intervention force brought peace to Timor. But behind that success is an untold story.
“Every military contact since forever has had a dark stain somewhere. If you don’t treat things like this in an open and honest way before the public you get a rot that sets in.” Investigative journalist
On Monday, Gold Walkley award winning reporter, Mark Willacy, reveals a disturbing secret chapter in our military history.
“Had things been done the way that it should have been done, we wouldn’t be sitting here today.” Former army officer
Over two nights, Four Corners will reveal allegations of military misconduct from those who were there.
“I can guarantee you a lot of the guys there, they’re still carrying the guilt of what they witnessed.” Investigator
The consequences of those actions were felt long after the troops departed Timor.
“If things had of been different…I don’t think we would have had some of the issues that we had in Afghanistan. I think it gave the wrong message.” Investigator
Ghosts of Timor, reported by Mark Willacy, goes to air on Monday 4th at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 5th at 11.00pm and Wednesday 6th at 10am. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.
https://twitter.com/neighbour_s/status/1509361969845125120
EDIT 6/4: follow up report by the ABC
Ghosts of Timor – Part 2
Monday 11 April 8.30pm
Ghosts of Timor – Part 2: The dark stain on Australia’s proudest military mission
“It’s outrageous. You can’t do that. I use the word outrageous and unlawful.” Former Australian military legal officer
On Monday, Four Corners will reveal fresh allegations of serious misconduct, including torture, carried out by Australian soldiers during the celebrated military intervention in East Timor in 1999.
“Sometimes I think I do wish I did nothing. I wish I had said nothing. I wish I had turned my back. But that wasn’t really an option.” Former New Zealand military legal officer
In part two of this investigation, Gold Walkley award winning reporter Mark Willacy travels to the tiny nation to uncover the truth about a series of incidents that still haunt some of those who were there.
“These men were all quite small. And they were scared. They were scared of us.” Australian soldier
Among the revelations, a secret interrogation centre controlled by the Australian SAS.
“It was all hush-hush top secret sort of stuff.” Soldier
Those who tried to expose what happened are speaking out for the first time about what they uncovered and the price they paid for trying to stop it.
“I had no choice and I suffered the consequences.” Former New Zealand military legal officer
“I was pretty (much) the last one standing…and I remember saying… ‘oh, man, this is going to come back and bite us on the arse’." Military Police investigator
This disturbing secret chapter of our military history has had far-reaching consequences.
“I believe honestly that as a result of that, it caused problems later on down the track that we now all know of, that happened in Afghanistan.” Military Police investigator
Ghosts of Timor – Part 2, reported by Mark Willacy, goes to air on Monday 11th April at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 12th April at 11.00pm and Wednesday 13th at 10am. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners .
https://twitter.com/neighbour_s/status/1511831045301489665?s=20&t=9iJJxJ_yXukabwEbd-c8VA
No show next Monday due to Easter holiday.
The Butchers from Brazil: The corporate colossus devouring Australia’s food business
Monday 25 April 8.30pm
“The control they exert is enormous.” Pork producer, Victoria
JBS is the corporate food giant you’ve probably never heard of, but it controls a huge amount of the food you eat, owning some of the most popular brands found in our supermarket aisles, from Coles and Woolworths to Aldi. You’ll also find their meat between your burger buns at McDonald’s.
“If you walked down the street and said, ‘Who’s JBS?’ No one would know. I think that’s been clever in the sense they’ve created brands within their brand.” Cattle producer and butcher
From beef and pork to lamb and even salmon, JBS’s products end up on countless Australian plates. What many consumers don’t know is the scandalous corporate practices behind the company.
“I think it will come as a surprise to a lot of your viewers that a Brazilian company, linked to so many scandals across so many continents…has been allowed to come into Australia and expand in the way that it has.” Investigative reporter, UK.
On Monday, Four Corners investigates the corporate colossus that has taken a major slice of Australia’s food production sector while being exposed internationally for bribery, corruption and environmental vandalism.
“JBS is a company under investigation in many countries except Australia, where they seem to be encouraged and supported and where no powerful person seems willing to say anything against them.” Author, Tasmania
The program tracks their corporate malpractices around the world and the scale of the revelations is staggering.
“This is certainly one of the biggest corruption schemes ever revealed in the world.” Transparency activist
Here in Australia some are questioning why the company’s practices aren’t receiving more scrutiny after their recent acquisitions received the green light from regulators.
“You have to ask, what is going on? Why is that company so supported by our politicians?” Author, Tasmania
And international law makers have a warning for Australians.
“I would not trust them with a fragile environment anywhere. They have demonstrated their willingness for corruption, pollution, and illegal activity…So be wary in Australia.” US Congresswoman
The Butchers from Brazil, reported by Grace Tobin, goes to air on Monday 25th April at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 26th April at 11.00pm and Wednesday 27th at 10am. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST , ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners .
https://twitter.com/neighbour_s/status/1516903311773138944?s=20&t=N1tjRsONT84Quy9CTLfd5A
Profiting from the pandemic
Monday 2 May 8:30 PM
Profiting from the pandemic: How Aspen Medical cashed in on COVID
“I think for-profits have realised that a disaster, it’s a bit like a gold strike. You go plant your flags, say, ‘We’re here.’” Humanitarian relief expert
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken millions of lives and cost trillions of dollars, but for some it’s been a golden opportunity.
As the global pandemic took hold in Australia, and authorities struggled to contain one outbreak after another, one company’s name kept appearing in the news – Aspen Medical.
The company was hardly a household name, but it was hired to provide crucial services in many of the most high-profile coronavirus crises, from the Diamond and Ruby Princess cruise disasters, to the deadly outbreaks in aged care homes.
“There’s no question that there is an industry around trying to exploit as much money as you can.” Public health adviser
Four Corners investigates Aspen Medical, the health contractor hand-picked by the federal government for lucrative contracts worth more than a billion dollars.
“Where’s the accountability? Who holds the federal government accountable for these failings? Who? My sense is Aspen just keeps getting rewarded for bad performance.” Daughter of aged care resident
The program examines why Aspen Medical was chosen to carry out these contracts, what role its top-level political connections played, and whether the company delivered on its promises and contractual obligations.
“They were unable to provide a sufficient in number and experience workforce to safely care for these vulnerable residents.” Specialist
The investigation questions the cost of abandoning long held safeguards when vast sums of money are involved.
“The point of probity rules is to get the best value for money. And some people might call it red tape, but there’s a trade off between efficiency and urgency.” Former health official
Those with experience on the frontlines of healthcare emergencies say there’s danger in outsourcing critical tasks to for-profit companies when it’s a matter of life or death.
“We should ensure that if we are delivering an emergency response, our primary focus is on helping people and a profit motive shouldn’t exist.” Public health adviser
Profiting from the pandemic, reported by Linton Besser, goes to air on Monday 2nd May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 3rd May at 11.00pm and Wednesday 4th at 10am. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.
https://twitter.com/neighbour_s/status/1519813789927231488?s=20&t=eIS-YLkLLAsbHTGlz66hTA
Digging In
Monday 9 May 8:30 PM
Why powering a green future means more mines
“It’s absolutely ironic. But to save the planet, we are going to need more mines.” Government geoscientist
Around Australia new mining operations are being established and old sites, shuttered decades ago, are being brought back to life. These miners aren’t digging for coal or gold, they’re hunting for other lucrative commodities – known as critical minerals.
“Critical minerals (are) everything you use for electric vehicles, for transport, for manufacturing. We’re really at the start of what could be a new mining boom.” Minerals lobbyist
If you own a mobile phone, if you power your home with renewable energy or drive an electric vehicle, then these minerals are already playing a key part in your life.
And they will play a vital role in all our futures.
But there is a hidden cost?
“We have to decide as a country. How valuable is a place and is it worth risking for mining?” Research scientist
On Monday Four Corners investigates the new critical minerals mining boom and finds Australia is in the box seat to exploit a surge in worldwide demand.
“Australia is still the luckiest country. Last century we were the luckiest because we had all the coal and a huge amount of natural gas… what we know the future needs is things that Australia also has in spades.” US energy policy adviser
From lithium mines in WA and the NT, to cobalt operations in NSW and tin mining in Tasmania, these critical minerals are not just making major profits, they’re playing a part in the super power rivalry between America and China.
“China has always known the value of critical minerals. We are moving into a period now of geopolitical competition, everybody is looking for leverage. The Chinese are quite explicit about that.” China analyst
With China dominating the control and supply of these critical minerals, many nations are keeping a close eye on Australia’s mining operations in the hope of breaking China’s dominance.
“We have met with heads of state, senior cabinet officials and global businesses…They all want to break this stranglehold.” Mining CEO
But environmentalists are concerned that hard fought environmental protections are being put at risk in this new type of gold rush.
“It’s not saving the planet. That’s ridiculous. That is green spin, green extractivism, coming out of the mining industry.” Environment activist
This fascinating film reveals the tensions, and the big decisions Australia will have to make to enable the production of these vital minerals without inflicting further harm on our increasingly fragile environment.
“It’s a confounding issue for the environmental movement. There’s absolutely no doubt that we have to move to mining of critical minerals, if we are going to address the climate crisis… At the same time, we need to be absolutely sure that we are not repeating the mistakes of the past.” Environment lawyer
Digging In, reported by Angus Grigg, goes to air on Monday 9th May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 10th May at 11.00pm and Wednesday 11th at 10am. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.
https://twitter.com/neighbour_s/status/1522017568034521088?s=20&t=5GsEaXZ2erhid2iILnb8zg
Putin’s Road to War
Monday 16th May at 8.30pm.
“He is more dangerous than he’s ever been at any point in the last 22 years. He will not lose. He will grind the country down to a fine, fine ash.” Author
When Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February it came as a shock to many. Why would Vladimir Putin want to overturn decades of stability by sparking the biggest security crisis in Europe since the end of the Cold War?
“He came to see himself as almost ordained to lead Russia back to greatness. If that is your ordained mission, then there aren’t a lot of limits on the means you can use to achieve that goal.” Reporter
For those who have studied Putin for decades, this war has been long in the making.
“It seemed almost as if Putin had drawn up a plan, a long time in advance, and now he had finally decided to execute it. This was not the war of the Russian people against the Ukrainian people. This really is Vladimir Putin’s war.” Global affairs analyst
On Monday Four Corners traces Vladimir Putin’s rise to power from his days as a KGB counterintelligence officer to his emergence as a global power player in the post Cold War era.
“He’s a professional liar. To lie is what he was taught in the intelligence school. He was pretending that he was going to pursue the same development of Russia as Yeltsin did. But that’s all is just one big lie.” Russian journalist
This film shows how he has repeatedly used so-called national security threats as a pretext for suppressing dissent and asserting his control.
“He came to power because of the war in Chechnya inside Russia’s own borders, just as brutal as the horrors that we’re seeing in Ukraine today.” Global affairs analyst
In fascinating interviews, former top international diplomats describe their dealings with the Russian strongman.
“You could almost feel the humidity from the spittle that was spewing. It was pretty shocking because it was pretty aggressive.” Former US Ambassador to NATO
These keen observers say the invasion of Ukraine is being driven by Putin’s obsessive desire to find a place in history.
“He wants to be a great historical figure for Russia. It’s Putin the Great, is what he wants to be. And one of the deeds that Putin the Great will have accomplished is reuniting Russia with Ukraine.” Journalist
And they warn that in Vladimir Putin’s eyes, failure is not an option.
“It doesn’t matter how many Russian soldiers die in the process, how many Ukrainian soldiers and civilians die in the process. He will not be humiliated, and that makes him also much more dangerous.” Author
Putin’s Road to War, a PBS Frontline production, goes to air on Monday 16th May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 17th May at 11.00pm and Wednesday 18th at 10am. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners .
The path to power: How the 2022 federal election was won and lost
Monday 23th May at 8.30pm.
“No one’s going to die wondering in this campaign.” Communications strategist & former Liberal staffer
On Saturday Australians will line up at the ballot box to cast their vote in the federal election. Weeks of campaigning and hundreds of hours of airtime have been spent in the hope of wooing undecided voters. Soon it will be time to see what worked.
“You’ve had kitchen sinks, babies and bath waters, you name it, it’s all being thrown…The fact that we’re seeing that kind of politicking, that tells you that they’re worried.” Communications strategist & former Liberal staffer
On Monday Four Corners will show how the campaign has played out through the eyes of undecided voters, recruited before the election, to give their views on the leaders, their policies and their performance.
“Character means a lot to me, as far as who I’m going to vote for.” Voter, Qld
The program has returned to them at multiple points during the campaign to talk about the key moments, their reactions and what has influenced their vote.
“That’s not a game changer for me. That’s not going to make me turn around and say, ‘Well, no, I don’t want to vote for him’.” Voter, NSW
Some have found themselves deeply frustrated by the lack of substance and approach taken by the political leaders as well as the media.
“There are a lot of complex issues that need to be tackled, but instead, a lot of the on air time and what we see circulating around the media is the gaffes and the pokes at each other.” Voter, NSW
Others found that advertising messages hit the mark.
“I thought in that ad, he actually came through more likeable than I’ve seen him for a long time.” Voter, Victoria
Alongside the voters, some of the most experienced communications and political strategists in Australia pull apart the tactics and motivations of this hard-fought campaign.
“The Coalition only have one path to victory now and that’s literally to chop Albo’s head off with either some sort of overwhelming negative campaign or some major stumble or mistake that they can ram home.” Former Labor prime ministerial press secretary
In lively interviews, they give their unvarnished views on the performance of the leaders.
“You would’ve been able to detect the jaws hitting the floor from about 150 staffers on the Richter scale. In technical political terms, it would’ve been a sphincter loosening moment for the campaign director.” Former Liberal prime ministerial staffer
Watch on Monday to see who called the campaign right or wrong, and which candidate the voters ultimately chose.
“The reality is they haven’t had to win this campaign. They’ve just had to not lose it.” Former Labor prime ministerial press secretary
The path to power, reported by Adam Harvey, goes to air on Monday 23rd May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 24th May at 11.00pm and Wednesday 25th at 10am. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.
Update on tonight from Adam Harvey
On Saturday, the nation’s voters delivered their verdict on the Morrison government. It wasn’t merely a rejection of the Coalition, the dominance of the two main parties was shattered.
Labor’s Anthony Albanese is now Prime Minister, but the slump in first preference votes suggests the electorate is frustrated by the ALP too.
The campaign strategists may have had a plan but not everyone was interested in what they were selling. Where the parties pushed a message, the media focussed on something completely different, and the voters were left totally bamboozled.A couple of weeks ago, I was trapped in a windowless function room somewhere in the bowels of Homebush stadium, AC/DC blaring out of the loudspeakers, surrounded by a crowd of enthusiastic Liberal party supporters who were furiously waving signs saying, “It’s 4%” and starting to chant “Sco-Mo, Sco-Mo, Sco-Mo”.
The media’s cameras were pointed not at the stage though, but at the one person in the room who looks like she didn’t want to be here: a local Liberal candidate, Katherine Deves. The cameras circled her throughout the speeches.
The moment the event finished, she stood up and made a break for it, pursued by a frenzied pack screaming questions at her about transgender children. “Are you transphobic Ms Deves!” AC/DC is still roaring at top volume. Liberal party supporters shout at the pack, “Disgusting! Leave her alone”.
Then she gets stuck in a lift.
What a time.
Over the campaign, I’ve been travelling the country for Four Corners, talking to a group of undecided voters about what really matters to them. To their great frustration, many of those things – the environment, desire for a federal anti-corruption commission – barely figured as campaign issues. Instead, they’re they were presented with gaffes and grabs and gotchas and issues like transphobia.
The disconnect and discord helps explain the election result … and the huge numbers of people who’ve abandoned the major parties and their messaging and voted for independents and Greens.
Tonight, those voters reflect on the campaign, talk about what really sways their votes, and offer a verdict on the way the political battle is fought, won and lost in Australia. Political insiders provide insight on what the parties were trying to achieve, and where they went wrong.
Adam Harvey is a former Southeast Asia and Middle East correspondent for the ABC. He was New York correspondent for News Limited and has worked as a reporter for the Daily Telegraph and the Sydney Morning Herald. He’s won two Walkley awards for excellence in journalism.
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Final show for Sally Neighbour.
A nice little dedication at the end of tonight’s show
Crypto Mania: Behind the hype of cryptocurrencies
Monday 30th May at 8.30pm.
“Crypto really is the perfect thing for the times…It is the ultimate ‘chasing the dream’, it is the ultimate embracing of celebrity, it’s the ultimate embracing of ego, all wrapped up in a financial product. That is powerful.” Lawyer
Cryptocurrency is the hottest financial product in the world. The hype is everywhere, with forms of the digital currency endorsed and advertised by celebrities daring you to invest in this brave new world.
“It is the future of commerce right now and it’s happening, and people are being left behind.” Crypto “visionary”
On Monday, Four Corners investigates what lies behind the slick marketing and big promises to examine if it’s a fad, a fraud or the future.
“It took me two months to become a millionaire.” Crypto investor
It’s billed as more than a mere form of financial exchange. Emerging out of the ashes of the global financial crisis, crypto is sold on the promise of liberating people from the big banks and big tech.
“Crypto to the younger generation represents a revolution in the way we see money. The younger generation lacks a lot of trust in the government and banks and the way they run things, I feel like crypto is almost a freedom for us.” Crypto investor
Despite wild booms and crashes, the crypto evangelists are adamant that cryptocurrency and the tech it’s built on are the wave of the future.
“From payments, to gaming, to financial infrastructure, to lending, the sky is the limit.” Crypto exchange managing director
Not everyone is convinced by the glossy ads and bold claims.
“It has no real value aside from the shared delusion, that it’s worth something.” Software engineer and crypto critic
Critics warn that there are major risks for the unwary investors.
“There’s no doubt some people have lost a lot of money. What we’ve seen is taxi drivers, Uber drivers, mum and dads getting involved in something that is highly, highly speculative, and on a global scale that I don’t think we’ve ever seen before.” Fund manager
And the lack of regulation opens up avenues for significant crime.
“It’s the wild west because it is unregulated and that creates opportunities for people who want to engage in fraudulent or illicit conduct…there are many opportunities for people to lose their money.” Lawyer
From Melbourne and Brisbane to London, New York, Washington DC and Las Vegas, the program talks to leading players in the world of crypto and it’s a cautionary tale.
“You can say to me, ‘Okay, boomer. That’s just your view.’ Or ‘You need to do the research’ or ‘You just don’t get it.’ But to me, the emperor has no clothes.” Frmr head of the US Office of Internet Enforcement
Crypto Mania, reported by Stephen Long, goes to air on Monday 30th May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 31st May at 11.00pm and Wednesday 1st at 10am. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.
https://twitter.com/4corners/status/1529611763758829570?s=20&t=CMLswu7v6cWHJl6qA0UEIw