60 Minutes - Season 16 / Year 2024

On 60 Minutes Tara Brown speaks with actor Madeleine West about confronting a perpetrator from her past in her pursuit for justice.

Acting for Real
For much-loved Australian actor Madeleine West, it was a role that came with caveats. She was told there would be no audience to admire the part, no applause and certainly no awards. Madeleine desperately didn't want to do it, but she knew she couldn't refuse. She also knew it had to be her finest performance ever. And that's because she'd be acting for real. As Tara Brown reports, the role was about a dark chapter in Madeleine's own life that she'd kept hidden for 40 years, and taking it on was the only way to help police put a monster behind bars.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producers: Garry McNab, Laura Sparkes

The Power of One
People all over the world are now wondering if, politically at least, Donald Trump is indestructible. The former United States president is facing 91 charges in four criminal trials, and the very real threat of going to prison. On top of that, last week he was ordered to pay more than $120 million in damages to a woman he defamed. For anyone else, any one of these setbacks would mean political death. But not Donald Trump, who just gets stronger, louder and more belligerent. And more likely to make a triumphant return to the White House after the US election later this year. Amelia Adams travels to Trump's heartland to investigate his secret to turning scandal into success.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Laura Sparkes, Sheree Gibson

Dimity Clancey files her first 60 Minutes report on the pursuit of weight-loss drug Ozempic, plus more on the federal Department of Home Affairs.

Reshaping Our World
Blame it on our success as a wealthy western nation, but we live with an enormous problem. Our size. Too many Australians are too big. Everyone knows excess weight is bad for our health, but battling the bulge is a fight too few of us win. And that's the reason drugs like Ozempic are in such demand. They promise a quick fix to losing kilos, even though they're not designed as weight-loss remedies. But as Dimity Clancey reports, users need to be very cautious. The Ozempic hype is starting to wither, replaced with the reality that it and similar drugs are risky, even deadly.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Serge Negus

Deadline for Justice
Next Friday marks a significant development in the 17-year-long Madeleine McCann case. The prime suspect in her abduction and presumed murder, convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner, goes on trial in Germany. But not for what it's thought he did to Maddie. Instead, he will be facing court charged with multiple sex offences against other children and a number of women. Now while it's not technically about Madeleine, the trial will be an important step for prosecutors in their pursuit of the truth about her death. And as Tara Brown reports, that's because of the evidence of their star witness, a man who has now spoken publicly for the first time.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Lisa Brown

Home Truths
In this joint investigation by 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Nick McKenzie continues his major probe into the federal Department of Home Affairs, revealing even more questionable dealings in the way it handles contracts worth billions of dollars.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Amelia Ballinger

60 Minutes speaks to Jimmy Barnes this Sunday following his open-heart surgery, plus more on the JonBenét murder saga.

Rock N Recovery
Aussie rock icon Jimmy Barnes has lived his life fast and hard. He is the first to admit he has done plenty of things that haven't been conducive to longevity. But that's not the reason he's so thankful, and lucky, to be alive today. Late last year Barnesy was struck down with an infection in his blood that spread to his heart. He was rushed to hospital where doctors gave him grim news. He was close to death and emergency open-heart surgery was his only option. It was touch and go for a while, and there was more screaming in pain than screaming out hits, but as Nine's Sylvia Jeffreys reports, Jimmy is now out of danger and can't wait to get back on stage.
Reporter: Sylvia Jeffreys
Producer: Lisa Brown

Follow the Evidence
There is a simple rule every detective learns early in their policing career: Follow the evidence. But it's a principle that appears to have been forgotten when child beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey was found strangled in the basement of her family home. Her murder 27 years ago remains unsolved. A substantial reason is that local police investigating her death were convinced JonBenét's parents were the perpetrators. Other suspects, along with crucial evidence, were ignored. On 60 Minutes, Amelia Adams reveals a breakthrough in the case which JonBenét's family hope could result in this gruesome mystery finally being solved.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Laura Sparkes

Adam Hegarty makes his 60 Minutes debut with a report on a British teen who was kidnapped by family, but then made a daring escape.

MH370: A Decade of Despair
Early next month will mark ten years since Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was lost somewhere in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. For the families of the 239 passengers and crew on board the Boeing 777, it has been a decade of despair. Since the plane vanished, they've been living with the never-ending pain of not knowing what happened to their loved ones. Many of them also have feelings of anger, directed at governments around the world that seem reluctant to do more to find the truth about this disaster. As Dimity Clancey reports, it is a frustration that has amplified because new and credible information continues to be collected. Put simply, MH370 is a mystery that can and must be solved.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Natalie Clancy, Sammi Taylor

The Long Way Home
At only 18, Alex Batty has already packed a lot into his life. Much of it though has happened against his will. When he was 11, he was stolen by his own mother and grandfather. The young Brit was then hidden away in hippy communes in Spain and France. For six years he was at the centre of a baffling, and unsuccessful, missing persons investigation. But then Alex took control of his own destiny. In his debut report for 60 Minutes, Adam Hegarty meets the very impressive Alex Batty and reveals the intriguing story of this young man's daring escape and long journey back to a normal life.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producers: Garry McNab, Naomi Shivaraman

Net Prophet
There's not much Andre Agassi doesn't know about tennis. He's one of the finest players to ever swing a racquet: a former number one who won multiple tournaments, including eight grand slam titles. But what the champ has to say about the game is not what many might expect. As he confesses to Tara Brown, for much of his time at the top he loathed the sport. However, these days Andre is proof that there is life after tennis. At 53, happily married to fellow legend Steffi Graf, he is the dad to their two children. And away from the court, he can be found in the classroom, where he's raising billions to help underprivileged kids get an education.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Lisa Brown

On Sunday's 60 Minutes, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess, the Salt Creek monster and Australia's BMX Olympic hope, Saya Sakakibara.

Security Insecurity
As Australia's top spy, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess has one of the most important roles in the country. This week he had a stark announcement for all Australians. He warned that unless we smarten up our ways, the security of the nation is in immediate danger. Burgess revealed that more Australians are being targeted for espionage and foreign interference than ever before. To prove his point, he also controversially highlighted the case of a former politician who sold out Australia after being recruited by a foreign power. On 60 Minutes, Burgess tells Nick McKenzie even more alarming details about the threats to our way of life.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Hannah Bowers

The Monster's Daughter
Children of criminals are often forgotten victims. Trying to reconcile feelings of love and loathing for a lawbreaking parent, can be confusing and damaging. And even if the children are adults, they can face challenges, as 36-year-old Kendehl knows too well. She's the daughter of Roman Heinze, better known as the Salt Creek monster. In 2016, he lured two backpackers to a remote camp site and violently assaulted them sexually and physically. That they managed to escape Heinze is remarkable. Accepting that her father committed this evil act remains difficult for Kendehl, but as she tells Tara Brown in an intriguing interview, adding to her conflict now is that even though he is locked away, he has turned his aggression on her.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Naomi Shivaraman

Bumps in the Road
The sport of BMX racing is not for the meek. It's fast, fiercely competitive and highly dangerous. On the track, it's no wonder Australia's Saya Sakakibara is the world number one. She combines supreme athleticism with breathtaking skill. But it's her mental strength that's really being tested as she prepares for the Paris Olympics. As Adam Hegarty reports, Saya's road to the top of her sport has not been without bumps, but successfully overcoming them is the mark of this champion rider.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Natalie Clancy

On Sunday's 60 Minutes a mother reveals how the criminal justice system let down her daughter, plus a profile on Matchbox Twenty.

Fatal Obsession
Celeste Manno was a smart and beautiful young Australian. Five years ago, her future was as bright as her personality. But then a man she'd very briefly worked with became obsessed with her. It was attention Celeste neither wanted nor reciprocated. That didn't stop Luay Sako though. For more than a year, the then 35-year-old stalked her, making her life miserable. Celeste tried everything to stop him, without success. In November 2020, he broke into her home in the middle of the night and murdered Celeste, who was then 23, while she was sleeping. Last week Sako was sentenced to 36 years in prison for his horrendous crime. But it's a punishment that's nowhere near satisfactory for Celeste's mother. In an exclusive interview with 60 Minutes and The Age, Aggie Di Mauro tells Dimity Clancey how the criminal justice system let down her daughter, and why Luay Sako must never be released.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Lisa Brown, Sammi Taylor, Simone Fox Koob

Burning Bright
With the recent Swiftie invasion, Australia may well have gone "cray-cray for Tay-Tay", but Taylor Swift has not been the only musical act in town. American band Matchbox Twenty, led by the very candid Rob Thomas, has also been here, not-so-quietly going about the business of belting out hits. And it's clear from the sold-out arenas they've been playing that after 30 years their music still strikes the right note. They are not only burning brightly on stage, there's also a new album. It's meant to celebrate getting older, but as Tara Brown finds out, the boys of Matchbox Twenty are not quite ready to grow up just yet.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Garry McNab

On Sunday's 60 Minutes Adam Hegarty talks to Royal insiders plus advocates of cryogenics.

Crown and Out
It's not what mere commoners would ever expect to see: the Royal Family in disarray, seemingly incapable of escaping it. Yet that's the reality of the past few weeks. With King Charles largely out of action as he receives treatment for cancer, the firm is floundering. How, for example, did a simple photograph of a supposedly happy Princess Catherine and her children turn into a worldwide photoshopping scandal? That PR fiasco must surely go down as one of the palace's greatest stuff-ups. Reporting from London, Adam Hegarty asks Royal insiders what's really going on? And which member of the family might be competent enough to restore the shine to the crown?
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producers: Garry McNab, Sheree Gibson

Dying for Life
For as long as mankind has been capable of thought, we have known the truth about life: that it ends in death. But as our scientific knowledge increases, there are more and more believers who think humans will soon be clever enough to halt the inevitability of their mortality. Others of course will never be convinced living forever is either possible or desirable. They say the idea that death could one day be considered a curable disease is nonsense. But advocates of cryonics, including many Australians, tell Amelia Adams now is the time to start getting ready for life after life.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Laura Sparkes

MH370: A Decade of Despair
Last week's tenth anniversary of the loss of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 quite rightly focused on remembering the 239 passengers and crew who died. But it was also a rallying call to resume the search for the wreckage. And it seems the Malaysian government could be receptive to the idea. If it happens, most expect Ocean Infinity, the company which unsuccessfully looked for MH370 in 2018, will again be tasked with the job. But on 60 Minutes, as Dimity Clancey reports, another group of experienced deep-sea explorers are standing by, ready to head to the Indian Ocean almost immediately.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Sammi Taylor

On 60 Minutes Adam Hegarty continues his royal family reports with more "Crown and Out" scrutiny, while Nick McKenzie reports on Chinese influence in Fiji.

Power in Paradise
When China's powerful foreign minister Wang Yi met his Australian counterpart Penny Wong a few days ago, the pair, albeit awkwardly, smiled and shook hands for the cameras. But behind closed doors there's no doubt the atmosphere would have been much less cordial. Both nations have plenty of differences to work through, including the ongoing battle for influence in the Pacific. While Canberra takes a more softly-softly approach to our near neighbours, that's not Beijing's way of doing business. In a joint investigation by 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Nick McKenzie reveals some of the downright dirty tactics China uses to assert its dominance over tiny nations like Fiji.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Amelia Ballinger

Intensive Care
The weather is spectacular and the swimming pool is always inviting. The rooms have all the mod-cons and the food is great. At the Vivo Bene resort in northern Thailand, pampering is the priority. But while the intensive care is very deliberate, this is no ordinary holiday paradise. That's because the guests are elderly and most have dementia. Unlike other aged-care providers though, the world-renowned treatment at Vivo Bene is not dominated by medication. Instead, it includes love, laughter, and giving vulnerable humans the time – and respect – they deserve. For reporter Dimity Clancey, providing the best care possible for dementia patients is a cause close to her heart. Her mother, Lorraine, has battled the disease for more than a decade and currently lives in an aged-care home in Sydney. In this special report for 60 Minutes, Clancey asks why can't there be facilities like Vivo Bene in Australia?
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Natalie Clancy

Crown and Out
Just when it seemed it couldn't get any worse for the Royal Family, it did. This time last week the palace was attempting but failing to mop up the scandal of Princess Catherine's photoshopping blunder, while at the same time trying to deflect attention away from the fact the star royal hadn't been seen in public for so long. This week things appeared to be brighter when Kate and Prince William were filmed, looking quite happy, at their local shops. But then there was more drama after it was reported that attempts had been made to access the Princess of Wales' hospital records. As Adam Hegarty reports, speculation about the Royal family is now so rife, it's ridiculous.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producers: Garry McNab, Sheree Gibson

Elon Musk's Crash Course
He's not only one of the world's wealthiest men, Elon Musk is also one of the smartest. There's no doubt he's an impressive high-tech visionary. As the boss of electric car maker Tesla, Musk's long-held dream has been to produce fully autonomous vehicles. For the last decade he has repeatedly declared Tesla's vaunted "autopilot" feature has been on the verge of solving the complex challenges of self-driving technology. But in a special edition of 60 Minutes, Musk is accused of exaggerating the capability of Tesla's achievements and lulling drivers into a false sense of security. This investigation, produced by The New York Times, reveals a serious gap between expectation and reality that's already led to several fatal crashes.
Producer: Emma Schwartz, The New York Times

Trial and Terror
They are statistics that could not be more damning: One in five women in Australia over the age of 15 has experienced sexual violence. Yet only 13 per cent of sexual assaults are ever reported. But then the numbers get even worse. Few of the cases that are reported make it to court, and even fewer end in a conviction or a substantial punishment. It's no surprise many survivors of these attacks accuse the justice system of causing more harm than good. They say that when giving evidence, they're often made to feel blamed. But as Amelia Adams reports, some women have now had enough and are courageously fighting to force change.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producers: Anne Worthington, Serge Negus, Nina Funnell

Bombs Away
For the competitors, the indelicately named Shitbox Rally is a gruelling, week-long trek through the Australian Outback in a bomb of a car that's likely to break down. But behind the larrikin humour and endless potholes, it's serious business. Over the years the event has raised $44 million for cancer research, prevention and treatment. And that's why this year's rally will have a special guest entrant. Caroline Kennedy is not only part of America's most famous political dynasty, she is also the United States Ambassador to Australia and, as she tells Tara Brown, by entering the Shitbox, she wants to recognise an initiative between our two countries that's making impressive progress in the hunt for a cure for cancer.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producers: Hannah Bowers, Sheree Gibson

Womb to Move
At almost four months old, little Henry Bryant is not only very cute, he's also a history maker. As are his mum Kirsty and grandmother Michelle. Last year, in an Australian medical first, Michelle donated her womb to her daughter in the hope of giving Kirsty a chance at becoming pregnant. It was a risky procedure for both women and there were no guarantees the transplant would succeed. But as Sylvia Jeffreys reports, Henry is now joyous proof it did.
Reporter: Sylvia Jeffreys
Producer: Lisa Brown

Bondi Massacre
An interview with the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who says the Bondi Junction stabbing attack has "shocked the nation." "So many families would've been out and about yesterday,"  Albanese told 60 Minutes. "It's a very large shopping centre that I'm very familiar with, and the thought that people have lost their lives and many others injured, and of course thousands traumatised by the events of yesterday directly, comes as a great shock in a peace-loving nation like Australia."

Albanese said he has spoken to some of the families of the five women and one man who have died. Three more people are critical in hospital. Albanese praised some of the heroes who tried to stop the attacker. "I believe that tragically amidst the carnage and the atrocity that was yesterday, we do have as well to give thanks to some of the best of our Australian character that was shown," he said.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producers: Hannah Bowers & Nichola Younger

Couldn't Care Less
It's not a proud boast, but this Sunday 60 Minutes will broadcast what is without doubt some of the cruellest, most horrific vision ever seen on Australian television. It's part of a major investigation by Tara Brown focusing on shocking accusations that disability support workers were mistreating a vulnerable person they were employed to look after. However, instead of caring for the woman, their attitude and actions screamed that they couldn't care less. As Brown reveals, the workers smugly assumed that because the victim was unable to speak, their abuse would go undetected. But they were proved wrong when, in an extraordinary act of love, the woman's elderly parents took the law into their own hands and used a hidden camera to expose the terrible truth.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producers: Serge Negus & Anthony Dowsley

Saving Paradise
If you were to imagine the perfect tropical paradise – sunny skies, sparkling warm water and pristine beaches – Tuvalu is as close to it as anywhere on Earth. The country is a narrow strip of tiny islands halfway between Australia and Hawaii that's made all the more special by its isolation. Yet for all its wonder, the people of Tuvalu are facing a devastating threat. Rising sea levels mean their home is disappearing. And what's really frightening is how quickly it's happening. But as Adam Hegarty reports, all is not lost yet. On 60 MINUTES, he travels to Tuvalu to meet the ingenious Australians who are working to raise the height of the island in an extraordinary engineering feat that also has significant political implications.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Natalie Clancy

The Menace of the Taipans
They look mightily impressive. They're relatively young. And they've cost more than three-and-a-half billion dollars to buy and operate. According to the top brass at the Defence Department though, Australia's 46 MRH-90 Taipan helicopters are useless junk. Others say that they're dangerous, as the country tragically saw last July when one crashed near Hamilton Island killing four Australian airmen from the 6th Aviation Regiment. It seems no surprise then that the helicopters have been taken out of service, and as the story goes, are about to be dumped in a great big hole at a secret Defence location. But what if it turns out that these machines aren't as bad as we're being told? In a special report for 60 Minutes, Andrew Probyn, the National Affairs Editor for 9News, investigates the very real possibility that there's another reason for the terrible accident, and it's one that has nothing to do with the reliability, or otherwise, of the MRH-90.
Reporter: Andrew Probyn
Producer: Hannah Bowers

Wonky Wonka
It seemed like a good idea at the time. Scottish entrepreneur Billy Coull thought he'd make money, and just as importantly make a whole lot of children happy, by staging a Willy Wonka spectacular in Glasgow. His idea was to take an empty warehouse and fill it with the wonder of Roald Dahl's imagination. Coull promised it'd be like nothing the kids had ever seen before. And he was right. But for all the wrong reasons. The show was a disaster of monumental proportions. Turns out, among Coull's many failings, his greatest was to rely on artificial intelligence to plan and then sell the extravaganza. As Adam Hegarty discovered though, AI simply wasn't smart enough to understand the magic of Willy Wonka. This attempt at fun not only turned to farce, it also became the subject of worldwide ridicule.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Sammi Taylor

On 60 Minutes how has a secret weapon brought down hundreds of high-ranking United States government workers? Plus kayaker Jess Fox is profiled.

Havana Syndrome
Some people might applaud the ingenuity; most though would condemn the barbarity. A secret new weapon has apparently been developed and is being used to target hundreds of high-ranking United States government workers. Those affected include diplomats, military officials, and spies, who believe they've been struck down in mysterious circumstances by strange energy waves. After being attacked, the victims report a range of debilitating neurological ailments that have seriously impaired their lives. In this special report for 60 Minutes, Dimity Clancey investigates the so-called "Havana Syndrome". The condition got its name because it was first detected in Cuba, but there are no prizes for guessing it's another country accused of engineering it.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Garry McNab, Nichola Younger

Rapid Success
Between them, Jess Fox's parents, Richard Fox and Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi, won 18 world titles in paddling, and were trailblazers in the sport. It's little surprise then that from the moment Jess was born, she was destined to have the considerable skills and daring needed to race down rapids in a kayak and a canoe. What wasn't predicted was just how successful she'd become. Experts now say Jess Fox is the greatest paddler of all time. And as Adam Hegarty reports, that's the best news for Australia as this champion prepares for the Paris Games. It will be her fourth Olympics, another extraordinary feat, but even more significantly for Jess, this time there's the strong chance she'll be joined by a very special team mate: her sister, Noemie Fox.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Lisa Brown

On 60 Minutes the dangers of dating apps, plus the young woman whose brain could provide clues to treating conditions like dementia.

No Warning, No Chance
Dannielle Finlay-Jones should be alive today. On weekdays, she should be teaching students at the school where she worked. And on weekends, she should be playing sport and hanging out with her friends. Instead, she's another murdered victim of domestic violence. Her family, though, don't want their precious Danni to be a statistic. They want the system that failed her to be fixed. As Amelia Adams reports, Danni had been looking for love, and met Ashley Gaddie, a 33-year-old tradie with a long history of violence against women, on a dating app. But Danni didn't know about his past, or that he was out on bail at the time, and with no warning about his real character, she stood no chance.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Laura Sparkes

A Beautiful Mind
Imagine being able to remember the day you were born. And from then on, every high and every low of every day of your life. For a tiny club of fewer than one hundred extraordinary people worldwide, this is no trick. Unbidden, and sometimes unwelcome, highly detailed memories constantly flood their thoughts. Eighteen-year-old Canadian Emily Nash is the latest and youngest person to be identified with Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory, or HSAM. But while Emily's definitely the girl you want on your Trivial Pursuit team, her ambitions run higher. As she tells Tara Brown, she has volunteered herself, and her unforgettable and beautiful mind, to help those who can't remember. And medical researchers couldn't be happier, because they believe understanding Emily's super brain will provide clues to better treat conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Sammi Taylor

Patriot Games
Who is the real Daniel Edmund Duggan? It's a simple question, but the answer is highly contested and has enormous consequences. For his family and a large group of supporters, he's a hero. A former U.S. Marine fighter pilot turned proud Australian citizen; a loving husband and devoted dad. For others though, namely the United States government, he's a traitor, accused of supplying China with top-secret military information. For the past 19 months, Duggan has been sitting in Australian prisons fighting attempts to send him back to the United States. As Dimity Clancey reports, a decision about his extradition is expected within weeks, but if the Americans get a hold of him and can prove the allegations, he faces up to 65 more years locked up. It's a thought his wife Saffrine and six children are struggling to comprehend.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Lisa Brown

Elon Musk's Crash Course
For all of his futuristic vision and entrepreneurial drive, billionaire Elon Musk's bold mission to build a fully autonomous car is stalling. His company Tesla is facing increasingly serious questions about the safety of its self-driving technology. A major investigation by a U.S. regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has linked Tesla's autopilot feature to hundreds of crashes, many of them fatal. NHTSA says drivers have been lulled into a false sense of security about the cars that isn't matched by reality. And it gets worse. There are also accusations that Musk and Tesla talked up the self-driving capabilities of the vehicles so much that they may have committed fraud by misleading investors and consumers.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producers: Garry McNab, Emma Schwartz

Giant Leap
It's important to be reminded that sometimes what we think is impossible isn't. Fourteen years ago David Mzee suffered terrible spinal injuries after an accident on a trampoline. He was told he'd be a wheelchair-dependent paraplegic for the rest of his life. That was news David didn't want to hear, so he didn't listen. All he wanted was to walk again. And as he shows Adam Hegarty, with much perseverance and great help from a lot of very smart people, he now does.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Sammi Taylor

Big Brother
For all the wrong reasons, everyone knows of Belle Gibson. A decade ago, she claimed that she'd beaten terminal brain cancer by rejecting conventional treatment in favour of natural remedies. Her cure made her a hero of the wellness industry. And not only did she love the worldwide attention her inspirational story attracted, she profited from it to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. But this medical miracle was all a lie, a twisted invention of the charlatan's mind. Today, the pain inflicted by Belle Gibson's deception still hurts her many victims, including her big brother Nick Gibson. In an emotional interview with Dimity Clancey, he describes how his life has been destroyed by his heartless sister.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Sheree Gibson

Gangster's Paradise
It might sound strange, but the crime capital of Australia is currently Dubai. That's because this glitzy mega city in the Persian Gulf has become home to nearly all of our biggest organised crime bosses. Their thinking in moving offshore is that they're out of reach of federal and state policing authorities, but if they watch 60 Minutes this Sunday, they might want to think again. As Nick McKenzie reports, an enormous leak of Dubai property records has revealed not only their residential addresses, but also how the city has become the perfect destination for crooks, and suspected criminals, from all around the world to do their dirty business.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Amelia Ballinger

Troubles at Home
It's almost unimaginable. Last November, a 12-year-old girl in Victoria was charged with murder after allegedly stabbing a 37-year-old woman to death. On Thursday the charges were dropped though, because being so young, it was determined the girl didn't have the mental capacity to be held criminally responsible for her actions. However, what's important to know about this case is that at the time, she was the responsibility of the state. The girl was living in what's called residential care; homes that are supposedly supervised, safe places for vulnerable children. But they're not. On assignment for 60 Minutes, Nine's Christine Ahern meets a very brave young woman who wants Australia to know what's really happening in residential care homes. This now 20-year-old says she suffered enormously and is demanding immediate changes to the system.
Reporter: Christine Ahern
Producer: Laura Sparkes

On Sunday's 60 Minutes, Tara Brown unravels Byron Bay's underbelly while Adam Hegarty reports on a push to ban social media amongst kids.

Messing with Minds
How much more evidence is needed before the message is fully understood that social media is a serious health hazard for young people? Leading researchers like world-renowned U.S. psychologist Professor Jonathan Haidt warn that it's messing with our kids' minds, and in an increasing number of tragic cases, it's killing them. Of course the tech giants who control the social media platforms downplay the dangers, but their views are compromised by the enormous profits they make by having children spend hours and hours on their smartphones. On 60 Minutes, Adam Hegarty investigates calls to do what to many was once unthinkable: Ban social media for the young.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producers: Anne Worthington, Sheree Gibson

Death in Byron
It might not be the lifestyle for everyone, but 25-year-old Jackson Stacker loved his happy-go-lucky existence. He lived in the moment, thriving on not knowing what each day would bring. Home was a van, and wherever he parked it was where he slept. Without a care, Jackson was roaming around Byron Bay in July 2021 when one night he disappeared. A month later he was found dead. Police said it was likely that he had taken his own life, but his distraught family believe something far more sinister happened. As Tara Brown reports, that's because his skull was discovered 13 metres from his body, and there was a 30-centimetre hunting knife embedded in his chest.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Serge Negus

On 60 Minutes this Sunday, Nick McKenzie reports on new scientific evidence raises serious questions in the case of Robert Farquharson.

The Science of Murder
What are we to do when science reveals information we don't really want to know? Block our ears and look away, or confront it? This is the challenge in the case of Robert Farquharson, one of Australia's most despised criminals. On Father's Day 2005, supposedly in an act of revenge against his ex-wife, he drowned their three young sons. The little boys, aged 10, seven and two, were passengers in their father's car when he drove it into a dam. At two trials, Farquharson was convicted of murder for his crimes and sentenced to life in prison. But now, as Nick McKenzie reports, new scientific evidence raises serious questions about what really happened. This joint 60 Minutes, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald investigation however does not advocate for Farquharson's freedom, rather it presents fresh expert analysis of facts that weren't adequately canvassed at Farquharson's trials, and asks if the new information is sufficiently important to consider further judicial review of the case.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producers: Natalie Clancy, Michael Bachelard, Nichola Younger

Sunday's 60 Minutes investigates why the Australian Border Force is failing at stopping people smuggling.

Broken Borders
No one disputes that patrolling Australia's extensive sea borders is a difficult job. But it shouldn't be impossible. Off the north-west coasts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, the task of stopping people trying to enter the country illegally is primarily the responsibility of the Australian Border Force. But in this joint 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age investigation, Nick McKenzie reports how broken our borders have become because the ABF is failing. The organisation's equipment is sub-standard, at times even dangerous; a fact that has severely impacted its operations. And as a consequence, the people smugglers have again been plying their evil trade.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Garry McNab

Unfathomable
If there's one small comfort to be taken from the OceanGate deep-sea submersible disaster, it's that death was instant for the five occupants on board. But a year on from the tragedy, there are still so many unanswered questions. Most fundamentally, why did the strange-looking craft on a mission to the wreck of the Titanic fail so spectacularly? And why, for days on end, was the world wrongly led to believe there was hope for a successful rescue mission? The lack of credible information about what really happened is now becoming increasingly unfathomable, not only for the families of the victims, but also for other undersea explorers like legendary Hollywood director James Cameron. Speaking exclusively to Amelia Adams, Cameron reveals that this is a catastrophe that could and should have been avoided.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Hannah Bowers

60 Minutes reports on allegations encircling Sean Combs aka 'Puff Daddy / P. Diddy,' plus infiltration of student rallies in Australia.

Face the Music
He's been known by many names over the years, from "Puff Daddy" to "P. Diddy", even "Love". But now hip-hop megastar Sean Combs has to face the music of being called an accused rapist and sex trafficker. Much like Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire is at the centre of his very own MeToo reckoning. Alleged victims say for three decades the rapper's out of control debauchery meant they endured terrifying abuse. As Adam Hegarty reports, with graphic video now backing up their claims, many of them hope Sean Combs will soon be trading his obscene lifestyle for a jail cell.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Sammi Taylor

Hidden Agenda
The deaths of innocent civilians are heartbreaking. The destruction of towns and villages is horrendous. What's happening in Gaza, following Hamas' murderous rampage in Israel last October, is a catastrophe that's destabilising the whole world. In Australia, regular protests supporting both sides of the conflict have so far been mostly peaceful. But in a joint investigation with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, 60 Minutes reveals disturbing evidence suggesting that could all change. One Islamist group, with extreme views, has infiltrated student rallies at universities in Australia, and as Nick McKenzie reports, it has a very sinister hidden agenda.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Anne Worthington

The Goal
The goal for Australia's favourite sporting team, the Matildas, is simple. To win a medal, and preferably a gold one, at the Paris Olympics. It's easy to say, but difficult to achieve. However, having just returned from one of the team's secret football training camps in Florida, Amelia Adams reports that it's very possible. On 60 Minutes, see why the wonderful Matildas are determined to do themselves – and Australia – proud.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Laura Sparkes

On 60 Minutes, Adam Hegarty speaks to Boeing whistle-blowers while Dimity Clancey investigates painkillers known as nitazenes.

High Alert
Few Australians have probably ever heard of Nitazenes, but soon it's likely that everyone will know all about them. Not for good reasons though. Nitazenes are extremely potent painkillers which can be as much as a thousand times stronger than morphine. They were developed in the 1950s, then quickly deemed far too dangerous for humans and so were largely forgotten. But now these synthetic opioids have reappeared and are being produced in massive quantities in Chinese laboratories. As Dimity Clancey reports in this special 60 Minutes investigation, nitazenes are being shipped to western countries including Australia, where they are hidden in all types of illicit drugs, ready to cause harm – and often death – to unsuspecting users.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Serge Negus

Corporate Crash
Not so long ago, many airline passengers used to swear by the saying: "If it's not Boeing, I'm not going." It was a motto the company loved. But in the last six years, two fatal B737 MAX crashes, as well as multiple other incidents, have meant drastically changing times for Boeing. Now, the slogan is the complete opposite: "If it's Boeing, I'm not going." On Tuesday, the plane maker's humiliation was plain for the world to see when its boss was forced to appear before angry U.S. Senators in Washington. CEO Dave Calhoun was grilled about his company's plague of deadly safety and manufacturing issues. On 60 Minutes, Adam Hegarty speaks to Boeing whistle-blowers who reveal disturbing allegations about shoddy practices and cover-ups. For anyone who flies, it seems the turbulence for Boeing is far from over.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producers: Lisa Brown, Sheree Gibson

Secrets of a Murderer
Russell Hill and Carol Clay didn't deserve to die. Four years ago, on a camping adventure in Victoria's remote high country, they had a chance encounter with Greg Lynn. Only he now knows the precise details of what happened, but there was a dispute that turned violent. The couple, both in their 70s, were killed. Last Tuesday, in an unusual verdict, a jury found Lynn guilty of murdering Carol though not guilty of murdering Russell. But the conviction of the former Jetstar pilot does not mean it's case-closed just yet. On 60 Minutes, Sarah Abo reveals disturbing secrets about Greg Lynn's past that authorities need to investigate further.
Reporter: Sarah Abo
Producers: Garry McNab, Anthony Dowsley

Forbidden Force
Twenty-year-old Ruqia Haidari lived with a conflict she could not resolve. She was torn between two worlds. On one hand, there were the strict but important customs of her Afghan heritage. On the other, the freedoms that life in Australia promised. Her friends said Ruqia longed to be a modern woman, but at home she couldn't bring herself to disappoint her mother, Sakina Muhammad Jan, who had an entirely different plan for her daughter's future. She told Ruqia she must marry a man she barely knew. Love didn't factor into the equation. It was a forced marriage, it was illegal, and it ended disastrously.
Reporter: Sarah Abo
Producer: Amelia Ballinger

Kidnapped in Japan
There are many wonderful things about Japan, but the way the country deals with child custody disputes is not one of them. The Japanese have a bizarre law that allows a disgruntled parent who separates from a spouse to literally abduct the children and run away. In those circumstances, it makes kidnapping legal. Worryingly, an increasing number of Australians, whose relationships with their Japanese partners have ended, have found themselves permanently cut off from their kids. It's a heartbreaking situation, but on assignment for 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's Eryk Bagshaw reports that there might finally be some hope for change. And it's in no small way thanks to some extraordinary efforts in Canberra.
Reporter: Eryk Bagshaw
Producer: Natalie Clancy

Board Games
Front feeble, switch kickflip, crook riva, back 50 backside, bump-to-nose grind! Following? They might be foreign terms to most people, but to skateboarders these words are the sweet sound of success. That is, assuming the tricks they describe are executed properly. But someone who usually does perform these complicated manoeuvres perfectly is 14-year-old Chloe Covell. This pocket rocket is Australia's number one female street skater, and just days away from officially being told she's going to the Olympic Games. While Chloe probably doesn't want to think too far ahead, Tara Brown reports that if she does win in Paris, she will become the youngest-ever Australian gold medallist, breaking a remarkable 68-year record.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Sammi Taylor

The Police Commissioner who lost his young son in a hit and run road crash, turns tragedy into hope; Why President Joe Biden's granddaughter isn't welcome at the White House.

A 60 Minutes investigation appears to have forced the hand of a union boss, who quit suddenly on Friday (12/Jul/2024).

As a boss of the militant CFMEU for 12 years, John Setka was as tough and feared a union leader as Australia has ever seen. In that time, he made plenty of noise, but late on Friday afternoon, with barely a whimper, he suddenly quit. What Setka didn't mention in his resignation announcement was his decision to stand down followed his refusal to answer questions put to him by 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Financial Review. Reporter Nick McKenzie had wanted Setka to explain why his Victorian construction branch had been infiltrated by underworld figures and outlaw motorcycle gang members. In leaving, Setka said he hoped his resignation would end further scrutiny of the CFMEU, but McKenzie's report, which has been nine months in the making, will only enhance calls for more investigation into the menacing ways of this out-of-control union.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie

Sending a Message
It might not be a conventional tactic, but military forces all around the world love to show off. And it's exactly what the United States and 28 of its allies, including Australia, is currently doing on and around the Hawaiian islands. RIMPAC 2024, as it's called, is an extraordinary spectacular of the world's most lethal weaponry. It's loud, menacing and quite overwhelming. For this story, reporter Dimity Clancey and her team were granted extraordinary access to the operation, which included filming on board the massive USS Carl Vinson Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, as well as securing a rare interview with the US Chief of Naval Operations and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Lisa Franchetti. America and its partners view RIMPAC 2024 as the perfect opportunity to send a decisive message to any would-be adversaries: Mess with us at your peril.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Natalie Clancy

The Fall
For the greatest adrenaline rush, Victoria Cilliers used to boast there was nothing better than leaping out of a plane. In fact, she loved skydiving so much she did it more than two and a half thousand times. Then the unthinkable happened. On a routine jump both her main and reserve parachutes failed. At that moment, Vicky expected to die. Miraculously though, she survived the fall. But as she recovered from her substantial injuries, she received an even bigger shock. As Adam Hegarty reports, what she thought had been a terrible accident was really a sinister crime.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Sammi Taylor

In a special report from Paris, Tara Brown speaks to the Aussie champions of the 2024 Olympic Games.

Helter Shelter
To keep up with overwhelming demand, the Federal Government says that in the next five years, 1.2 million new homes need to be built. The plan is massively ambitious. Approximately 650 houses and apartments must be completed each and every day from now until mid-2029. In fact, it's a task so mammoth many say the government is dreaming. And that's a substantial problem because, as Dimity Clancey reports, more and more hard-working Australians are becoming more and more desperate for a roof over their heads. It's clear that new thinking is needed.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Hannah Bowers

Uncle Donald
If political ruthlessness and cunning were Olympic events, Donald Trump would surely be glistening in gold. Such is his will to regain the world's top job he has become even more proficient at belittling and slandering anyone who stands in his way. This time around, Trump's campaign for the presidency is setting records for spitefulness, and with 11 weeks still until polling day, there's bound to be plenty more vitriol. On 60 Minutes, Amelia Adams reveals a counter-attack from an unexpected quarter: a member of Trump's own family. Fred Trump has released a damning memoir, which reveals his Uncle Donald is capable of a whole new level of cruelty and nastiness.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Lisa Brown

Building Bad
Five weeks ago, 60 Minutes exposed widespread corruption, including infiltration by underworld figures and bikies, at Australia's most militant trade union, the CFMEU. The fallout from Nick McKenzie's story was immediate. Sweeping reforms were promised, and on Friday the Construction and General division of the union was put into administration. The positions of hundreds of officials were also terminated. While it's a vital development, 60 Minutes' joint investigation with The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Financial Review hasn't stopped. McKenzie and his team have now discovered that the rot has spread even further than first suspected.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Amelia Ballinger

Scam HQ
It's positive news, kind of. In the last year, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, ASIC, has identified and shut down more than 7,300 phishing and investment scam websites. While it has stopped victims here losing millions, the scammers are still winning, raking in billions. They're also coming up with more and more technically sophisticated ways to rip off their prey. As Adam Hegarty reports, much of this criminality is now headquartered in the failed state of Myanmar. There, trans-national crime bosses have resorted to human trafficking to amass a 120,000-strong workforce of scammers, who all day long are forced to con westerners out of their money.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Laura Sparkes

ONE ELLE OF A LIFE
The gods of good looks well and truly singled out Elle Macpherson. And she well and truly made use of the generous attention she received. In the 1980s and 90s, "The Body", as she was known, was arguably the most photographed Australian in the world. Elle lived in a blinding dazzle of flashes, as she jet-setted between glamourous locations. To outsiders, her supermodel career couldn't have been more exciting. But looks can deceive. On 60 MINUTES, a very different view of Elle Macpherson as she tells Nine's Tracy Grimshaw of the hardships she endured, including relationship breakdowns, battles with addiction, and her controversial decision to reject conventional treatment after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Reporter: Tracy Grimshaw
Producer: Lisa Brown


BUILDING BAD
Does Mark Irving KC have the toughest job in Australia? In his first television interview since being appointed administrator of the CFMEU, the senior barrister tells Nick McKenzie how he plans to clean up the corruption-plagued building industry union, and restore focus to its primary function: looking after the rights of thousands of construction workers.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Amelia Ballinger

The Real Kamala
No one would ever describe last Wednesday's Presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris as edifying. It was big on bluster, but short on substance; an example of how hurling insults to malign opponents now seems to be the preferred way to influence voters. It's a skill Donald Trump has certainly turned into an art form, but as the world witnessed, the Vice-President is also no mug at it. For many observers though, Kamala Harris still has a substantial problem to overcome if she's to be elected President. She needs to do more to convince Americans who she really is. On 60 Minutes, Amelia Adams travels across the United States meeting the people who know the real Kamala, including old school friends, work colleagues and even a former boyfriend.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Nichola Younger

The Blast Wave
We ask a lot of our military personnel. If needed, we expect them to make the ultimate sacrifice. In return they deserve to be provided with as much protection as possible. But as Nick McKenzie reports, Australia is failing its front-line fighters. Many troops who fire or come into close contact with heavy weapons and explosives are developing serious brain injuries. By just doing their jobs they are being exposed to repeated high-impact blast waves. And it's not only happening on the battlefield, it's also occurring during their training. Worryingly however, keeping our soldiers safe does not seem to be a high priority for defence leadership.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Serge Negus

Boeing 777s are one of the safest types of aircraft flown. They're also one of the largest. Fully loaded with fuel, freight and upwards of 400 passengers, they can weigh more than 350 tonnes. But in difficult weather, like all planes, B777s can be violently tossed around in the sky. And when that happens those on board are in for a terrifying ride. In May, a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 encountered such extreme turbulence that dozens of passengers were severely injured and one man died. In a major investigation, 60 MINUTES reveals startling evidence that this was a tragedy that could and should have been avoided. Adam Hegarty's report also includes an exclusive interview with Kerry Jordan, the Adelaide woman who is now a tetraplegic as a result of the injuries she suffered onboard SQ321. Kerry and her partner Keith Davis recall the horror of the flight and tell of their disappointment at Singapore Airlines' lack of adequate support in the aftermath, which has changed their lives forever.

Aiming For Trouble
Donald Trump is used to being, figuratively, in the sights of his detractors. It's a prerequisite for being one of the world's most divisive politicians. What he's not used to though is when it happens for real. Unbelievably, in the last two and a half months, two people have taken aim at Donald Trump with weapons. In July, the former – and want-to-be-next – President was grazed by a bullet at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, and then two weeks ago he was targeted again while playing golf in Florida. Fortunately, both assassination attempts failed. But as Amelia Adams reports, what the attacks have done is not only highlight security failures in the protection of America's leaders, they've also sent this year's presidential campaign into meltdown.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Nichola Younger


Married To A Monster
The crimes of Doctor Adam Britton can only be described as grotesque. To the world, Britton portrayed himself as a wildlife warrior. He was a respected Darwin-based crocodile expert who made nature documentaries and at times even worked alongside Sir David Attenborough. But he hid a despicable secret. In 2022, he was arrested and charged with committing vile acts of animal cruelty. Last month Britton, 53, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the rape, torture and killing of as many as 42 dogs. For two years, Britton's now former wife, Erin, has stayed silent about the man she once loved, but now she wants to speak out. In an exclusive interview on 60 MINUTES, she tells Tara Brown how she is grappling with a terrifying truth: she was married to a monster.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Hannah Bowers

What possesses a human being to be so evil? It's a question that must be asked about Justin Stein. In one of the worst crimes in Australian history, at the beginning of 2022 he murdered nine-year-old Charlise Mutten. She had innocently put her trust in Stein, 31, hoping he could be a much-longed-for father figure in her life. In return, Stein shot the little girl in the face. He then thought he'd be able to get away with his despicable act by outsmarting the Homicide officers working to solve the case. He failed. On 60 MINUTES, Dimity Clancey is given unprecedented access to the extraordinary police investigation that caught this killer. She speaks with the lead detectives tasked with tracking Stein's movements through thousands of hours of CCTV footage, phone recordings and texts, and reveals how investigators were able to expose Stein's lies in exhaustive police interviews. Clancey's report also includes an exclusive interview with Kallista Mutten, Charlise's distraught mother and former fiancée of Justin Stein. Speaking publicly for the first time, Kallista tells 60 MINUTES about the loss of her precious daughter and the guilt she will always feel for inadvertently putting Charlise in harm's way.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Anne Worthington

Being Boris
As unlikely as it sounds, there was a time during Boris Johnson's term as British Prime Minister when he was hailed an action hero because he achieved the seemingly impossible. He made Brexit a reality, then, when COVID struck, saved thousands of lives by overseeing the fastest rollout of vaccines anywhere in the world. But as leader, Johnson also made so many mistakes and enemies that he was ultimately dismissed as a bumbling buffoon and forced from office. Now he's back, setting the record straight in his provocatively titled memoir, Unleashed. In an at-times bizarre, but always entertaining 60 Minutes interview with Tara Brown, Johnson reveals long-held secrets, including his sneaky role in AUKUS, why he seriously considered invading the Netherlands, and his final moments with the Queen.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Lisa Brown

Kicking Goals
Representing the nation is an honour many Australians dream of but few achieve. For those lucky enough to experience it, there's no better feeling. It's especially so when it comes to sport, because wearing the green and gold often means athletes also become celebrities. But there's a national team of very inspirational Aussies that you probably wouldn't know. They're the "Street Socceroos", eight homeless Australians who defied the odds and did us proud at the so-called Homeless World Cup. It's a 38-country football competition proving that even those who are doing it the toughest, can still kick life-changing goals.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producers: Serge Negus, Sammi Taylor

Remembering George
A special 60 Minutes tribute celebrating the life and extraordinary career of reporter George Negus.

Beautiful Lilie
At 21, Lilie James was busy doing all the things people do at that young age. Studying, working, playing, she was on the threshold of a promising life. But, tragically, last October this beautiful and vivacious woman was savagely beaten to death in the gymnasium of the school where she had a part-time job. The level of violence was shocking – so too was the identity of the man who killed her. Paul Thijssen, 24, Lilie's ex-boyfriend and co-worker at the school, was by all accounts a model citizen. That he could commit such a heinous crime was inconceivable to most who knew him. On 60 MINUTES, Tara Brown speaks exclusively to Lilie James' heartbroken parents, and delves into Thijssen's well-hidden past to unmask the truth about this violent and cruel killer.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producers: Hannah Bowers, Sheree Gibson


Sonny Boy
It was an offer Karl Stefanovic couldn't refuse: An interview with the godfather of modern cinema, Al Pacino. The movie megastar might now be 84, but he remains a force of nature, even recently becoming a father for the fourth time. In fact, as Stefanovic reports, that joyous event was the impetus Pacino needed to look back and, finally, write his long-awaited memoir. Titled Sonny Boy, it is – as everyone would expect – as gritty and intense as many of his explosive on-screen characters. What's perhaps less expected, though, is that the real Al Pacino is also incredibly funny and disarmingly down to earth.
Reporter: Karl Stefanovic
Producer: Garry McNab

The Invisible Deaths
It's a national disgrace. This year in Australia, every six days on average, a woman has been killed in a domestic violence incident. As shameful as that number is, however, it's likely to be only a fraction of the true death toll. The reality is there are potentially hundreds more women losing their lives, but their deaths are not being investigated and so not counted. On 60 MINUTES, Dimity Clancey reports the heart-breaking stories of the invisible victims.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Anne Worthington

The Kid
If cramming a lot of life into a very short time was a competition, smart people would put money on The Kid Laroi to win easily. At 21, he's already an over-achiever. There's the worldwide adulation he's received as a singer and rapper, as well as the lavish trappings that such success brings. But as Adam Hegarty discovered in a very revealing interview, this young Australian's greatest accomplishment is something else entirely. For The Kid Laroi, it's having the strength to believe in his talent, and knowing how to drag himself out of a "down and out" existence in Sydney to pursue a dream most people would regard as impossible.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Sammi Taylor

The Art of the Victory
What a campaign. What an election. What a result. To the victor, Donald Trump, go the spoils. From early next year he will return to the White House for another four years as the most powerful man on earth. And for someone with such an unpredictable and egotistical nature, that old saying "We live in interesting times" couldn't be more apt. On 60 MINUTES, Amelia Adams reports from Washington DC on the impact of Donald Trump's return to the Oval Office on Australia and the rest of the world.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producers: Nichola Younger, Sammi Taylor

Vote 1 for 2
What Lucy Bradlow and Bronwen Bock want to do is either brilliant or bonkers. They reckon they can make Australian politics better by offering themselves up in a two-for-one deal. That's right, they want to job-share the position of senator. But as Adam Hegarty reports, their proposal raises many questions. The most obvious is what happens when, if elected, these wannabe part-timers disagree on an issue? Quite unlike politicians, they say don't worry, they'll work out their differences amicably. So, should we believe them and start planning to Vote 1 for 2? Or is this a case of double equals trouble?
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producers: Serge Negus, Sammi Taylor

Facing the World
Few people have endured such extreme levels of pain, both physical and emotional, as Stephanie Browitt. Five years ago, she suffered horrendous burns when the White Island volcano in New Zealand erupted. It was a tragedy that killed her dad Paul and sister Krystal, as well as 20 others. Since then, Steph has fought daily to recover and reclaim her life. One of the obstacles she's faced has been an ongoing legal battle with Royal Caribbean, the cruise ship company that sent passengers on an excursion to the volcano the day it blew up. Now, as Sarah Abo reports, finally and thankfully, there has been a significant development in the case.
Reporter: Sarah Abo
Producer: Natalie Clancy

CHARLOTTE'S WISH
If the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has his way, from the end of next year children under 16 will be banned from social media. That's right, for Australian kids, soon there will be no more access to Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and all those other addictive apps. Taking on the world's tech giants is a bold move by the government, and there are valid questions about how such a ban might be enforced. As Adam Hegarty reports, if anyone needs a compelling reason for urgent action, they need only know the confronting and tragic story of 12-year-old Charlotte O'Brien. She was a victim of cruel bullying, much of it delivered online, and it was her wish that Australians understand the truth: Social media can kill.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Anne Worthington

SUCKED IN
It's hardly surprising, but once again Australians have been sucked in by the duplicity of "Big Tobacco" and its apologists. When that industry could no longer lie about the deadly effects of cigarettes, it promised to clean up its act. Its bosses started promoting vaping as an easy aid to quit smoking. But we now know that claim has turned out to be another untruth. What vapes have really done is hook a new generation – children – on nicotine. After years of indifference, the federal government has finally woken up to the ruse by introducing tough new laws making it illegal to import or sell vapes. However, in a joint investigation by 60 MINUTES, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Eryk Bagshaw discovers Canberra's crackdown on these products might already be too late to be effective.
Reporter: Eryk Bagshaw
Producer: Laura Sparkes

Villains or Victims?
Back when it happened, greed was the simple explanation that went with the headlines. Lyle and Erik Menendez had shot dead their wealthy parents in the family's Beverly Hills mansion to get their hands on a $14 million inheritance. Of course, the brothers denied that was the case. In court they said they killed because their evil father had been sexually abusing them. But they weren't believed. Found guilty, the pair were sentenced to life behind bars, without parole. Now though, 35 years later, Tara Brown reports there's not only new evidence but enormous support from armchair detectives around the world who are convinced the Menendez brothers really are victims, not villains. So should they be freed?
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producers: Serge Negus, Sheree Gibson

Get Shorty
Rotting in prison for decades now, Stephen "Shorty" Jamieson's file is marked "Never to be released". He is one of Australia's most reviled criminals, because in 1988 Jamieson was the ringleader of group of young thugs who abducted, raped and murdered 20-year-old Janine Balding. It was a truly shocking crime. But Jamieson has always denied any involvement in the murder, repeatedly saying he wasn't even there. Most people would easily dismiss the pleas of a despised murderer, but as Nick McKenzie reports, a number of eminent experts have listened. They've been reviewing Stephen "Shorty" Jamieson's file and are now questioning his conviction.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producers: Amelia Ballinger, Anthony Dowsley

It started as a beautiful summer morning, warm and sunny, but ended as one of the darkest days in Australia's history. December 15, 2014, is indelibly seared into the nation's psyche as the moment when terrorism came to the heart of Sydney.

Ten years on, this Sunday, Peter Overton presents a powerful special edition of 60 MINUTES, remembering the 17 hours of terror at the Lindt Café siege.

At 8.33am on that horrific day, lone-wolf gunman Man Haron Monis, claiming allegiance to Islamic State, walked into the popular café and shortly thereafter took 18 innocent people hostage. Threatening not only to shoot his captives, but also to detonate bombs he'd planted around the city, Monis wreaked havoc until 2.13am the following morning.

When the ordeal was over, not only was the terrorist dead – tragically, so were two hostages, Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson.

Through the recollections of survivors inside the café, as well as the perspectives of police and political leaders charged with ending the siege, this program is a showcase of the bravery of the men and women whose lives continue to be affected by that awful day.

It is also a tribute to the memories of the victims and a timely reminder to heed the painful lessons learnt from the tragedy to ensure such a crime never happens again in Australia.