60 Minutes

Help that Harms
There's no question medical devices implanted or attached to the body, things like pacemakers, pain relief pumps or glucose monitors, are a significant advance in medicine. When they work as their manufacturers claim they should, they improve and save lives. But as 60 Minutes reveals in this joint investigation with The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, when the devices don't work, the exact opposite is true. Remarkably, every year there are 150,000 incidents where Australians require hospital treatment because medical devices that are meant to help cause harm instead. So why is that number so high? As Dimity Clancey reports, it seems the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the health watchdog Australians rely on to keep them safe, is simply not up to the job of adequately testing the thousands of devices it approves for use here every year.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Amelia Ballinger, Liam Mannix, Henrietta Cook

There's Something about Neil
There are plenty of devils in Tasmania, but for the last six weeks a particularly cheeky one has both delighted and terrorised locals and tourists near Hobart. In throwing his not insignificant weight around, and doing exactly as he pleases, which is best summed up as wanton vandalism, Neil the Seal has become a worldwide celebrity. As Tara Brown discovers though, this is not his first seal rodeo. For the past five years the 1000kg anti-authoritarian-hero has been making twice yearly visits to the Tasmanian east coast. That's because, like all elephant seals, he is genetically programmed to return to his birth place from the sea. A few days ago, Neil's current visit came to an end, but like he's done before, he certainly left a massive impression.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Laura Sparkes

Ups and Downs
Apart from the Prime Minister or national cricket captain, perhaps the most scrutinised job in Australia is being the boss of Qantas. It's a position that comes with massive expectations. As Alan Joyce found out, get it right and you soar to great heights, but get it wrong and not even a fully fastened seatbelt will save you from the turbulence. Joyce was the Qantas CEO for 15 years, but having to answer to millions of price-driven passengers and profit-demanding shareholders meant his tenure was defined by never-ending ups and downs. He exited in questionable circumstances three years ago, and since then has been uncharacteristically quiet. But on 60 Minutes he's now returning to the public glare, speaking to Tracy Grimshaw about what really went on when he was in charge at Qantas.
Reporter: Tracy Grimshaw
Producer: Lisa Brown

Lifeline
As a wife and mother, a nurse, and before that an Australian veteran of the Afghanistan war, Kaela Graham-Bowman knows life is precious. Up until six years ago, hers was just great. Then, at 28, she was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Synovial Sarcoma. Cruelly, it attacks mostly young people, and there's no cure. Of course, when Kaela was told she had this terrible disease, she vowed to fight it, all the while believing she'd never win. But sometimes fortune really does favour the brave. On assignment for 60 Minutes, Peter Overton reports that this inspirational woman wants to share news of a lifeline she's been given. She also wants to thank the people who unknowingly provided this glimmer of hope. Every Australian!
Reporter: Peter Overton
Producer: Anne Worthington

60 Minutes looks at how schools are handling mental health of students, plus why Prince Harry's case against the Daily Mail was problematic.

Learning to Care
Lauren Rafferty was usually bright and bubbly, but there were also moments when she was troubled. Like too many students, she was bullied in the classroom. Weighed down with stress, Lauren knew she needed help, so she went to her school counsellor. However, this was where events took a drastic turn. What is now known is that the counsellor recognised the young girl was mentally unwell, but did not seek further assistance or treatment, or even inform Lauren's mother. A few weeks later, 12-year-old Lauren took her own life. As Adam Hegarty reports, as heartbreaking as it is, Lauren's story is not an isolated incident of schools being unable to manage the mental health issues of their students.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producers: Serge Negus, Sheree Gibson

Harry's Daily Mail Fail
When Prince Harry picks a fight, he aims for big targets, as his own family knows only too well. But perhaps even more daring, the Duke has also gone after the vengeful, intrusive and very powerful British press. After substantial legal victories over two of the biggest newspaper groups in the UK, Harry decided to take on the publishers of the Daily Mail. As it turned out, that was a massive mistake. In trying to convince the court the tabloid had illegally hacked, and tapped, his and other celebrities' phones, Harry came unstuck when his own team was accused of fabricating evidence. Things got even worse when his so-called star witness decided to testify for the other side. In an extraordinary interview with Tara Brown, that man, private investigator Gavin Burrows, reveals why he believes Harry's case was always doomed to fail.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producers: Amelia Ballinger, Sammi Taylor

On Sunday's 60 Minutes Amelia Adams reports on the damage one of Bangkok's biggest medical tourism operators is causing.

Destination Disaster
The brochures couldn't be more enticing. It's the ultimate getaway. Fly to Thailand for a sun-drenched holiday, and while you're there, pop into a hospital for a quick, easy, and inexpensive body spruce-up. Believe the sell, and you return to Australia feeling and looking like a brand-new person. Every year, thousands of Australians buy into this glossy cosmetic surgery promise; however, a six-month-long 60 Minutes investigation reveals the reality is far less pretty. Amelia Adams reports on the damage one of Bangkok's biggest medical tourism operators is causing. The company is called Destination Beauty, but the horrifying accounts of women left disfigured by its surgeons' botched operations will leave viewers believing a more appropriate name for the business might be Destination Disaster.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Natalie Clancy