60 Minutes

60 Minutes returns on Sunday with a story which centres around the tragic deaths of tourists, including two Australians, following methanol poisoning at a backpacker hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos.

Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles knew each other their entire lives. They grew up as the very best of best friends. Last November, the two 19-year-old women from Melbourne did what hundreds of thousands of young people over the world do every year. They went backpacking through Asia. But in communist Laos, they struck trouble. Adventure turned to tragedy when Bianca and Holly inadvertently consumed alcohol tainted with deadly methanol. Days later they lost their lives. And so did four other travellers who drank from the same batch of bad spirits: three young women from Denmark and England, and an American man. In the 2025 season premiere of 60 Minutes the heartbroken parents of the Australian, Danish and English victims tell Tara Brown of their determination to do all they can to expose the dangers methanol-laced alcohol poses to travellers around the world. They also reveal their frustration with authorities in Laos who have been less than transparent in sharing information about how this tragedy happened, and who is responsible.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producers: Serge Negus, Sheree Gibson

THE MONSTER OF MAZAN
On 60 MINUTES a story so deplorable it redefines the meaning of immorality. Mazan used to be an unremarkable little village in southern France. Today it's better described as a place of evil because it's now known that among its residents lived a monster. Dominique Pelicot pretended he was a loving family man when in fact he was a sexual deviant. His victim was his unsuspecting wife Gisèle, who he repeatedly secretly drugged and raped. That's horrific enough, but Pelicot also recruited more than 70 other men to join his criminal depravity that went on for almost ten years before it was discovered. However, while Gisèle Pelicot suffered terribly, there was no way she going to let the torture she endured ruin her life. At her husband's trial, she bravely agreed to waive her right to anonymity so the full extent of his nefarious behaviour would be exposed. Caroline Darian is the daughter of Gisèle and Dominique Pelicot, and in an exclusive interview with Dimity Clancey, she gives an insider's account of the case that shocked the world. 
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Natalie Clancy

BIG DEAL
What makes Luke Combs such a big deal is that he's not. Sure, he's a country and western megastar, but as Adam Hegarty discovered, when you meet him off stage he's so disarmingly normal it's just like having a natter with a neighbour over the back fence. It's no wonder millions of people around the world love this bloke from North Carolina. For the past few weeks Luke has been touring Australia, playing to record crowds in packed-out stadiums. Seeing the joy he brings to his fans is, well, a joy to behold.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Garry McNab

Taken for a Ride
Along with politicians, real estate agents and journalists, taxi drivers are much-criticised. Like those employed in the other professions though, more cabbies are honest and hard-working than not. But the ratbags take rorting to a new level. In a 60 Minutes, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald investigation, Nick McKenzie has uncovered shocking cases of taxi drivers not only ripping off their customers financially, but also physically abusing them. The story includes McKenzie's own frightening run-in with an angry cabbie after he queried a fare, with the footage of the incident being enough to make anyone thinking about jumping into a taxi think again.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Amelia Ballinger

At Home with the Duttons
Unfriendly. Unlikeable. Unelectable. For those who oppose Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, he's easy to characterise. If you believe recent polls though, being unpopular isn't all bad. And that's because what was once thought impossible has now happened. Dutton has overtaken Anthony Albanese as preferred Prime Minister. With a federal election looming, it's a very good position to be in. But for someone who is all too regularly making headlines, Peter Dutton remains a mystery to many Australians. On 60 MINUTES, Karl Stefanovic travels to the Dutton family home in Queensland to get the lowdown on the man aspiring to our highest office from those who know him best: his wife Kirilly and children Rebecca, Harry and Tom.
Reporter: Karl Stefanovic
Producer: Hannah Bowers

Facing our Threats
As our top spy, ASIO boss Mike Burgess prefers to do his work away from the public gaze. But so concerned has he become about the increasing threats to Australia's security that he has a message he wants all Australians to see and hear. Speaking to Nick McKenzie, Burgess says now is the most dangerous time our country has experienced in the last 50 years. He warns our enemies are everywhere, and unless we all start taking the nation's security seriously, we're in for a world of pain.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Laura Sparkes

Targeting Australia
The plot was as sophisticated as it was evil. ISIS terrorists had decided to target Australia. It was eight years ago and their nefarious ambition was to inflict maximum fear and loss of life by planting a bomb on a packed passenger plane and detonating it over New South Wales. If they'd succeeded, hundreds of people in the air, and probably more on the ground, would have been killed. On 60 Minutes, Amelia Adams investigates just how close their plan came to succeeding, and frighteningly, why Australians still need to be alarmed. Speaking from a death-row prison cell in Iraq, the terrorist mastermind of the plot issues a chilling warning that ISIS remains a deadly threat and is inspiring a new generation of radicalised zealots, ready to once again reign terror on the west.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producers: Laura Sparkes, Toni Ambrogetti

Where there's a Will
Forget the palaces, the priceless jewels and all those forever-fussing servants. Being the King is not an easy job. In the two and a half years Charles the Third has been monarch, royal watchers say he's been impressive, especially considering he has been fighting cancer for much of that time. But although the thought is dreaded, King Charles' illness is a reality check for the Firm, as the royal family is known. It means there is added impetus to ensure Prince William, 42, is match-fit for a possible call-up to the top job. So how would he wear the crown? In London, Dimity Clancey speaks with some of the Prince of Wales' closest confidants to find out if he is really ready to reign.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Natalie Clancy

Where There's Smoke, There's Firebombing
Where there's smoke, there's firebombing is now an unwelcome reality for tobacconists, predominantly in Victoria, but increasingly elsewhere around the country too. In the last 18 months, as many as 200 of their shops have been destroyed as criminals try to wrest control of the lucrative illegal tobacco market. What's worrying though is not only the level of violence, but why this thuggery started in the first place. As Nick McKenzie reports in this joint 60 Minutes, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald investigation, by taxing cigarettes so exorbitantly in an attempt to stop people smoking, the Federal government has inadvertently created a thriving black market worth five billion dollars a year.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Serge Negus

Albo & Jodie
In Canberra the distance between the Prime Minister's home, the Lodge, and the Governor-General's residence at Yarralumla is about four kilometres. Anytime now, in the next few days or weeks, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be taking the five-minute trip to visit Sam Mostyn to officially call this year's federal election. Of course, unofficially, the campaign has been pretty much in full swing for months. Two weeks ago, Opposition leader Peter Dutton and his family talked to Karl Stefanovic about the highs and lows of a life in politics. Now it's the turn of Albo and his soon-to-be bride, and possible secret weapon, Jodie Haydon.
Reporter: Karl Stefanovic
Producers: Natalie Clancy, Hannah Bowers

MH370: Third Time Lucky?
In a few days there will be another grim anniversary for the families of the 239 passengers and crew who were aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. On March 8, it will be 11 years since the Boeing 777 disappeared, somewhere in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. But now there is renewed cause for hope for some long-awaited answers. As Dimity Clancey reports, another search for the aircraft is currently underway. However, unlike the previous two failed searches, this one is using much more advanced technology to map a comprehensive picture of the ocean floor. Could it be third time lucky in the attempt to solve one of the greatest aviation mysteries of all time?
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Sammi Taylor, Nichola Younger

The crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein are well known. The two rich and powerful men inflicted horrendous abuse on young and vulnerable women who had had the misfortune of entering their orbits, both voluntarily and not. Now, however, a new name can be added to this roll call of despicable abusers, Mohamed Al Fayed. Until now he's been better known as the father of Dodi, who died alongside Princess Diana in 1997. At the time, Al Fayed senior revelled in baseless conspiracy theories that Dodi and Diana were murdered at the behest of the Royal Family. What wasn't known back then though was that Al Fayed, the formidable billionaire owner of department store Harrods, was a serial sexual predator. And as Tara Brown reports in a special edition of 60 Minutes, among the hundreds of women he preyed on there were at least 14 Australians.

Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Anne Worthington

60 Minutes Nick McKenzie revisits the CFMEU saga, revealing new information.

Building Worse
Eight months ago, in a series of award-winning stories, 60 Minutes, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, exposed endemic corruption and criminality at Australia's most powerful construction union, the CFMEU. Nick McKenzie's reports, "Building Bad", so horrified federal and state governments that immediate action was promised. Police investigations were launched, an administrator was appointed to take over the running over the union, and influential union figures, including bikies who'd wheedled their way into the organisation, were sacked. It looked like the rot was finally over. However, as McKenzie now discovers, that's far from the case. In fact it's business as usual for many of thugs associated with the CFMEU as they continue bullying and ripping off anyone who stands in their way.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producers: Amelia Ballinger, Hannah Bowers

Why I Killed My Mother
You're unlikely to encounter anyone sweeter than Gypsy-Rose Blanchard. She really is charming. But she's also a convicted murderer. With help from a so-called boyfriend she met online, she killed her own mother. The brutal crime – Clauddine "Dee Dee" Blanchard was stabbed 17 times – happened ten years ago, and Gypsy-Rose was imprisoned. But now she's free. On 60 Minutes, Amelia Adams meets a controversial young woman very determined to let the world know why she did what she did.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producers: Nichola Younger, Sheree Gibson

Pride & Prejudice
It can't be understated just how momentous January the 6th 2021 was for American democracy. It was the day rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol building. The lead up to this dark moment in history began two months earlier when Donald Trump lost, but claimed he won, the 2020 Presidential election. The lie became Trump's mantra and the catalyst for the attack on America's most important institution. One of the instigators of the violence that day in January was Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the far-right, neo-fascist group, the Proud Boys. He ended up being imprisoned for 22 years for seditious conspiracy. One thousand five hundred others were also sent to prison. But remarkably, now they're all free, beneficiaries of Trump Presidential pardons. And as Amelia Adams reports, armed with their ‘get out of jail' cards, Tarrio and his Proud Boys are not only empowered, they say they're invincible.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Garry McNab

Mismatch of the Day
According to Rebecca Loos, soccer superstar David Beckham was not only a player on the field, off it he was one as well. Back in 2004, when she was his 26-year-old personal assistant, she publicly admitted they had a torrid affair. At the time, and unusually for such an attacking footballer, Beckham was defensive. He pleaded it was ludicrous to suggest he was unfaithful to his Spice Girl wife, Victoria. The denial infuriated Loos because she felt it implied she had lied. Eventually her anger gave way to resignation, but two years ago a rather vainglorious David Beckham obliquely referenced the liaison in a Netflix documentary. As Rebecca tells Dimity Clancey, his comments were an own goal that has given her a free kick to strike back.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Sammi Taylor

Tragedy in Tamworth
The pain is unbearable and the frustration immense. Baylen Pendergast's father, Luke, can't fathom how 11 years on from his toddler son's mysterious death, no one has been held responsible. There have been no arrests and no charges laid. That's despite overwhelming medical evidence suggesting the 21-month-old boy suffered horrific, non-accidental injuries. It's a tragedy that has stunned the country New South Wales community of Tamworth where Baylen lived. On 60 Minutes, Adam Hegarty investigates why, after more than a decade, there are still no answers for his dad.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producers: Laura Sparkes, Toni Ambrogetti

Oops
It's easy to understand why actress Madeleine West is so committed to protecting children, and not just because she's a mother of six. As 60 Minutes reported last year, when she was a young girl Madeleine was the victim of a serial paedophile. For 40 years she kept the abuse secret, but then, in the performance of her life, she helped police collect the evidence they needed to charge the perpetrator. Peter Vincent White was subsequently imprisoned for 15 years for crimes against seven children. Now there is a new chapter for Madeleine West. She has a remarkable and wonderful surprise she wants to share – one that started with oops.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Nichola Younger

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Australians know John Singleton as a no-nonsense, super-successful business titan, always confident and in control. But on 60 MINUTES this week, a very different John Singleton. Not the businessman but a broken father consumed with despair over the death of his beautiful daughter Dawn. A year ago, almost to the day, Dawn and five others were stabbed to death at the Westfield Bondi shopping centre. The perpetrator was 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, a mentally ill man who, somehow, had fallen through the cracks of the health system. Now a coronial inquest is set to examine what happened and why. But in an exclusive television interview with Nine's Tracy Grimshaw, John says enough is enough.  He doesn't believe the inquest will achieve anything, and the prospect of reliving the day he lost his daughter fills him with horror.
Reporter: Tracy Grimshaw
Producer: Garry McNab

THE FIRST BUDDY
By announcing aggressive tariffs on goods coming into America, President Donald Trump has lost a lot of friends around the world. Not that he probably cares. And anyway, he has the world's richest man, his so-called "first buddy", for company if he gets lonely. As chief of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk has proven to be a very loyal functionary, and one who's more than happy to do his boss's dirty work. In a few short months in the role, Musk has overseen the decimation of the American bureaucracy, as well as the sacking of tens of thousands of federal workers, all in the name of eliminating waste and fraud. But as Amelia Adams reports, Musk too is paying a hefty price for his vigour.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producers: Garry McNab, Nichola Younger

Private Shame
Australia has one of the best health care systems in the world. If anyone gets sick or injured and needs emergency care, they expect to be in safe hands at most hospitals. But that certainly has not been the situation for some patients who ended up at facilities run by Healthscope. It's a private company that operates 38 hospitals and emergency departments around the country, but has a growing list of shameful failings that have led to needless patient deaths. One recent case was the tragedy of two-year-old Joe Massa who died after waiting hours for care at the emergency department of Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney. On assignment for 60 MINUTES, Nine's Christine Ahern reveals another equally terrible case of a patient receiving inexcusable medical treatment. And like Joe Massa, Melbourne teenager James Tsindos would probably be alive today if he hadn't put his trust in Healthscope.
Reporter: Christine Ahern
Producer: Natalie Clancy

When Stars Collide
Workplace feuds are not uncommon but they rarely receive worldwide attention. However, when the clashing parties are two high-profile Hollywood celebrities, headlines are guaranteed. The dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni centres on what did, or didn't, happen on the set of the feature film It Ends With Us, and it has well and truly turned the supposed on-screen lovers into off-screen haters. In fact, as Adam Hegarty reports, the claims and counter claims being thrown around are now so serious the lawyers have been called in, and multiple court cases are being prepared.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Sammi Taylor

Barbie's Dirty Secrets
Her full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, but everyone knows her simply as Barbie, the world's most iconic fashion doll. She's been around since 1959 and just gets better with age. In fact, the last few years have been Barbie's best ever. A blockbuster movie and a makeover by toy manufacturer Mattel has not only turned her into a lauded 21st century feminist, it has transformed her into a multi-billion-dollar brand. However, it has now emerged that there's a dark side to Barbie's glittering success. In this hidden camera investigation, award-winning reporter Isobel Yeung from Britain's Channel 4 exposes what really goes on in Mattel's Chinese factories where the famous doll is produced.
Reporter: Isobel Yeung
Producer: Alasdair Glennie

The Shallows
For a lot of Australians the best way to cool down after a busy week is a dip at the beach. It was certainly Mani Zhang's thinking one Friday afternoon last month. The weather was perfect, warm and sunny, but as Mani swam in the shallows, just a few metres off shore, out of nowhere a massive bull shark attacked her. Her leg was mauled so savagely, and there was so much blood loss, that she should have died. But as Dimity Clancey discovers, a remarkable will to live, as well as the unbelievable bravery of a passer-by, means Mani is now one very thankful survivor.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Nichola Younger, Sheree Gibson

Death of a Legend
In Hollywood, Gene Hackman was a titan. A truly great actor, he captivated audiences, starring in 80 movies and winning two Oscars. But Gene was also smart enough to know when to call time on his career. Twenty years ago, battling health issues, he and his wife Betsy moved to New Mexico for a more private and peaceful life. In typical Hackman style he faded from view with little fanfare. That is until two months ago when he and Betsy were found dead inside their home under mysterious circumstances. Speaking with some of the couple's closest friends, Tara Brown reports that the tragedy of what happened, along with the final weeks of Gene's life, is wrenching. Even though he could never know it, it's also one of the most important stories Gene Hackman was ever involved in.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producers: Serge Negus, Sheree Gibson

Wrong Place, Wrong Time
Look at any photo of Audrey Griffin and you see a beautiful, smart young woman. The 19-year-old navy recruit had plenty of friends and plenty of life ahead of her. Until the unthinkable. Six weeks ago, in a crime that has outraged Australia, she was murdered as she walked to a friend's place after a night out. Audrey didn't know her attacker, she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The killer, Adrian Torrens, was a violent man who opportunistically decided to cause maximum harm. On 60 Minutes, Torrens' wife, Michelle, gives a chilling insight into this evil man, and tells Dimity Clancey why this crime should never have happened.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Natalie Clancy, Sheree Gibson, Toni Ambrogetti

Love Bytes
It's hard to know whether to be excited or frightened. Maybe a bit of both. Artificial intelligence, already changing human behaviour in so many ways, is now trying to charm its way into our love lives. And, as strange as it might sound, it's succeeding. Millions of people around the world are ditching the traditional concept of boyfriends, girlfriends, even husbands and wives, and hooking up instead with AI companions. As Adam Hegarty reports, while computer chatbots can be very kind and charismatic, people also need to be warned: Just like in the real world, AI relationships can – and sometimes do – end in disaster.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Sammi Taylor

Labor of Love
There's a very good reason why the House of Representatives in Canberra is about to become a better place. Ali France. She won for the Labor Party the Queensland seat of Dickson, previously held for 24 years by the now former Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. That alone means she's history-making, but it's not what makes her truly remarkable. In a freak car accident 14 years ago, she almost died trying to save the life of one of her sons. Then, early last year, she lost her other son after he succumbed to cancer. For many people there would be no coming back from tragedy like this. But as Tara Brown discovers, Ali France is not one of them. She's inspired by the love of her boys to be the best member of parliament she can be.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Laura Sparkes 

Trade Wars
A long time ago, 21 years to be exact, in a capital far, far away, Washington DC, Australia and the United States signed an historic free trade agreement. At the time it was a new hope for shared prosperity. Everyone was pleased, especially the Americans who, truth be told, probably got the better end of the deal. But now that pact seemingly counts for nothing. Donald Trump says he's sick of America being ripped off by other nations, including Australia, and has decreed his empire will strike back. Negotiating with the undeniable force of the U.S. President won't be easy for Australia's re-elected prime minister, Anthony Albanese. However, as Dimity Clancey reports, it's a mission he has no option but to get right.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Garry McNab, Toni Ambrogetti

Virginia's Fight
Sex abuse survivor Virginia Giuffre first appeared on 60 MINUTES six years ago.  Back then she was in combat mode, determined to bring to account the notorious trio of Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew. Tragically though, her brave crusade for justice and an end to human sex trafficking took a heavy toll, and two weeks ago, haunted by physical and emotional scars, she died at her home north of Perth, aged 41. As Tara Brown reports, those closest to Virginia will always be awed by her strength and the hope she gave to so many.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Sammi Taylor

Date With Disaster
It used to be relatively easy. When love was in the air, those lucky enough to be touched by it simply got on with working out its wonder. Now though, love is just as likely to be searched for on a computer or smart phone, and while there are many, many success stories, this is not one of them. That's because online match-making has been well and truly hijacked by evil. Internet dating has led to an unprecedented rise in sexual violence. As Amelia Adams reports, it's a wave of crime so extensive and so serious that experts are likening it to a second global pandemic.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Sandra Odorisio

Don't Try This at Home
Mischievous doesn't begin to describe identical twins Danny and Michael Philippou when they were growing up. Too full of naughty energy, they made their parents' lives hell with their silly – and often dangerous – pranks. As they got older, the little ratbags turned into bigger ratbags. And guess what? They figured out there were rewards to be had with tomfoolery. Big rewards. First it was going viral and entertaining millions of subscribers on YouTube. Now it's making it even bigger in Hollywood. The brothers are just about to release their second feature film, and like everything else they do, this one comes with a warning. Don't try this at home!
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Sandra Odorisio, Anne Worthington

Evil Spirit
When, last November, 19-year-old best friends from Melbourne, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, died in Laos after consuming drinks laced with methanol, Australians were shocked. For the girls' families, six months on the heartbreak continues, as does the anger they feel towards Lao officials who still haven't directly contacted them to explain what happened and why. But on 60 Minutes, Tara Brown reveals now, finally, there may be a significant development in the investigation.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Sheree Gibson

On 60 Minutes this Sunday, Sean "Diddy" Combs' former former executive assistant speaks out, plus how Chinese money has been buying plenty of friendship in the South Pacific.

Facing The Music
Dishonest. Violent. Horrible. A promiscuous swinger who lied to, and cheated on, multiple partners. Incredibly, that's how Sean "Diddy" Combs' own lawyers describe the billionaire music mogul, who is facing serious sex trafficking charges in a New York court. The defence tactic seems to be to try to convince a jury that while Combs might be extremely unlikeable, it doesn't mean he's guilty of criminal offences that could see him locked up for the rest of his life. It's clearly a risky strategy, especially as more and more accusers come forward with information. One of them is Phil Pines, Diddy's former executive assistant, who in an exclusive interview with Nine's Christine Ahern, reveals startling allegations about the rapper's vile behaviour.
Reporter: Christine Ahern
Producer: Sammi Taylor

Power Plays
In the increasingly less-than-delicate dance for dominance in our region, there's no denying China boasts superior force compared with our military. It's an advantage the People's Liberation Army love to show off, like they did earlier this year when Chinese warships provocatively sailed a lap of Australia. But while Beijing's sticks are impressive, their carrots are also proving to be effective weapons, particularly when it comes to influencing our near neighbours. From Tonga, Amelia Adams reports how Chinese money has been buying plenty of friendship in the South Pacific. Adams also speaks with Australia's Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, to gauge the next steps Canberra is taking as China moves closer and closer to our shores.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Serge Negus

Settling the Score
In a series of award-winning stories, 60 Minutes, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald exposed widespread corruption and criminality within Australia's most powerful and militant union, the CFMEU. Plenty has been said about the far-reaching investigation, but until now there's been a deafening silence from the gangland figures at the core of the scandal. A fortnight ago, investigative reporter Nick McKenzie took a call from a man with a fearsome underworld reputation, who had previously threatened him. This time, though, it was an offer he couldn't refuse. Former bikie enforcer, Jonny "Two Guns" Walker, wanted an interview to clear the air and settle the score. Not just with McKenzie, but with the union bosses he once regarded as brothers, that he now accuses of betrayal.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Amelia Ballinger

Angel of Death
It is a crime as shocking as it is evil. The murders of seven babies, and the attempted murder of seven others, by a British nurse who preyed on the infants in her care. The audacity and magnitude of the horrors inflicted by 35-year-old Lucy Letby are striking. Officially, she is one of the most prolific child killers of modern times. But growing doubts could turn this case on its head. Letby's backers claim concerns about the reliability of complex medical and circumstantial evidence used to convict her have been turbocharged by new information that raises serious questions about her guilt. The implications could not be starker. Either Lucy Letby is a sadistic monster, or she is the victim of the greatest miscarriage of justice in British history.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Anne Worthington

Crunch Time
Since the very start, the harrowing 18-year mystery of Madeleine McCann has been a rollercoaster of high hopes and devastating realities. But right now it's crunch time for the most high-profile child abduction case in history. This week, acting on information from German investigators, police have swarmed on a stretch of Portuguese coastline, close to where the British toddler vanished from her parents' holiday apartment in 2007. They've been desperately searching for evidence, in a race against the clock to prevent the looming freedom of the prime suspect in the case, German paedophile and rapist Christian Brueckner. And, as Tara Brown reports, in this special 60 Minutes investigation, they're not the only ones determined to keep this vile predator behind bars.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Nichola Younger

Invisible Lady
It is one of the most curious questions being asked of Donald Trump's second term in office. Where on Earth is Melania? While the US President has barely been out of the news, the First Lady has been utterly conspicuous by her absence. Since her husband's inauguration five months ago, Melania has largely given Washington DC a body-swerve, appearing at just a handful of official public engagements. Her defiance of presidential protocol and longstanding White House traditions has been met with head-scratching, scorn and plaudits in equal measure. So where has the First Lady gone? And what does her disappearing act mean for her 20-year marriage with the world's most powerful man?
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Anne Worthington, Nichola Younger

On Sunday's 60 Minutes Tara Brown looks to the legacy of unmarried pregnant women in Australia in the 1950s - 1970s and what many of them sadly endured.

Bitter Pill
It's a scandal that's hard to believe. In the 1950s, 60s and 70s as many as one hundred and fifty thousand young Australian women were coerced into giving up their babies. The reason? They weren't married. For the vast majority it was a heartbreaking torment. But as Tara Brown reveals in this 60 Minutes special report, there was worse to come. Tens of thousands of these teenage mothers, maybe more, were then made to take a drug to stop their supply of breast milk. What they weren't told, despite it being widely known at the time, was that Stilboestrol, also called DES, was linked to cancer and other serious diseases. It's a bitter pill that has not only wreaked havoc on the women, but they now fear they've passed on its terrible curse to their subsequent children and grandchildren.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Laura Sparkes

60 Minutes looks to the stabbing death of Australian Jason Rigby in Fiji and a family's search for answers, plus another look at the Titan submersible disaster.

Murder in Paradise
The words Fiji and murder are rarely used in the same sentence. Similarly, five-star luxury resorts are seldom the scene of violent crimes. Tragically though, the stabbing death of Australian man Jason Rigby in the tourist town of Nadi last December combines all three elements. But this murder in paradise is also one that, so far, hasn't been investigated properly. In fact, if it wasn't for the perseverance of Jason's family, who were forced to hire a private detective to conduct their own inquiries, his killing would probably have been dismissed as not even suspicious. On assignment for 60 Minutes, Nine's Christine Ahern travels to Fiji to report on his family's frantic mission to discover the truth.
Reporter: Christine Ahern
Producers: Laura Sparkes, Toni Ambrogetti

Rush of Ego
Two years ago, almost to the day, the United States Coast Guard was tasked with leading the search for the Titan, the submersible missing on an expedition to the wreck of the Titanic. At first there was hope the experimental craft could be rescued, but as is now well known, 90 minutes into its journey and three kilometres below the surface, Titan imploded. All five men on board were killed instantly. Among them was Stockton Rush, the boss of OceanGate, the company which designed, built and operated the doomed sub. Not surprisingly he has been a main focus of the Coast Guard's investigation into what went wrong. Its official report is expected to be released imminently, but as Amelia Adams reports, already this disaster seems to be a case of ego overruling expertise.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Serge Negus

In a 60 Minutes special report, hospitality workers speak out about the culture and conduct at some of Australia's best known restaurants.

Out of Order
The hospitality industry in Australia is worth one hundred billion dollars. It employs a million people, many of them young Australians. There's no question it's a big deal for our economy. But in some of the best-known venues, behind the welcoming smiles of restaurant maître d's and the brilliance of barmen and women concocting cocktails, things are completely out of order. In fact, what's really going on in these places is shocking and disgraceful. There are accusations of sexual harassment, assaults, rampant drug abuse and staff being ripped off by bosses. In a joint investigation by 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Eryk Bagshaw reveals damning allegations from inside the empires built by three of Australia's highest-flying restaurateurs.

Reporter: Eryk Bagshaw
Producers: Natalie Clancy, Clare Sibthorpe, Bianca Hrovat

Truth Bomb
For far too long senior leaders in the Australian military have been derelict in their duty to adequately combat a massive problem, the existence of enemies within. Specifically, they're the men in uniform, who for years, have perpetrated, and in many cases gotten away with sexual crimes against their female colleagues. On 60 Minutes, current and former servicewomen say they've had enough of the abuse and are refusing to suffer in silence any longer. They want Australia to know the full extent of the mistreatment and misogyny they've been forced to endure to serve their country. This joint 60 Minutes, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald investigation, reported by Nick McKenzie, is a truth bomb for the Australian Defence Force's top brass, and one that must prompt immediate action.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producers: Garry McNab, Serge Negus

Millions of Australians love Bali. And why not? It's a stunning place. But a thirst for sun and fun in paradise can hide a sobering truth. The reality is that safety standards in Bali are not what they are here, and when things go wrong, they go really wrong. In March a group of 11 tourists, including Australians, took a boat trip to go snorkelling. No one had any reason to fear danger, until the vessel they were on suddenly capsized. Anna Blight, a 39-year-old Melbourne woman, died and many of the others onboard were injured. On 60 Minutes, Amelia Adams reveals graphic accounts of a tragedy that survivors say could – and should – have been avoided. In Bali, she also tracks down the boat owners and tour operators to get answers about how and why this disaster happened.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producers: Natalie Clancy, Sheree Gibson

The Unlucky Country
When it comes to insuring our homes and businesses, Australia is fast becoming the unlucky country. According to the Climate Council, right now 750,000 properties are considered to be at high risk of damage or destruction from natural disasters. Another million and a half face a greater than moderate danger. The numbers are extraordinary, and extraordinarily distressing for homeowners. Many are now being refused insurance, and for those who can get cover, premiums are skyrocketing, often by tens of thousands of dollars a year. But while battling Australians face heartbreak and hardship, not so the insurance companies. On assignment for 60 Minutes, Nine's Christine Ahern reports how last year they collectively made more than six billion dollars in profits.
Reporter: Christine Ahern
Producer: Sandra Odorisio

Life of the Party
After near annihilation by the ALP at the federal election in May, who would now want to be Liberal Party leader? It's a job many say only a mug would take on. Sussan Ley however sees opportunity in failure. And as the first woman to lead the Libs, which also makes her Australia's first female Opposition Leader, she's probably right, because her party's current state is so grim that up is really the only direction to go. On Tuesday, parliament resumes for the first time since the election, with Ley preparing to battle a supremely confident Anthony Albanese. But the emboldened Prime Minister needs to remember that as a migrant, a mother and grandmother, a former farmer, a punk rocker and a pilot, Sussan Ley packs an arsenal that goes well beyond gender and politics.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producers: Anne Worthington, Toni Ambrogetti

Toxic Icon
Most people would rail against being called a misogynist. But Andrew Tate is not one of them. Not only does he embrace the label, he actively promotes his hateful views about women to millions of social media followers. Hard as it is to fathom, Tate's business of monetising misogyny has made him rich beyond belief. This toxic icon's success is born from the fact he has tapped into a very impressionable constituency: young men, including thousands and thousands from Australia, who have fallen under his spell. But as Nine's Christine Ahern reports, a fightback is underway, one that prioritises the wellbeing of those so damaged by Andrew Tate and his appalling beliefs.
Reporter: Christine Ahern
Producer: Sammi Taylor

Just Write
As a singer, Ed Sheeran's career statistics are extraordinary. Fourteen number one hits, billions of streams of his music, hundreds of millions of records sold, and packed-out arena concerts whenever he tours. But equally impressive is the ease with which he can write songs. For many performers, this is the hardest part of the business. Not for Ed, now 34, who in the last two decades has penned close to three and a half thousand. There's not only more on the way, Sheeran has also announced an Australian tour to showcase his new music.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Laura Sparkes

Crime Scene Investigation
At more than 130,000 hectares, Palmerville Station in Far North Queensland is a massive cattle property. In area it is larger than all of Hong Kong. It's also, arguably, Australia's biggest crime scene. Thirteen years ago, 48-year-old gold prospector Bruce Schuler was gunned down on Palmerville. Husband and wife station owners, Stephen Struber and Dianne Wilson, were convicted of his murder and imprisoned. But now there are growing claims of a miscarriage of justice. Supporters of the killer couple want to know how they can be guilty when the victim's body has never been found and there is no DNA evidence linking them to the crime. As Dimity Clancey reports, on the other side of this confounding case Bruce Schuler's distraught family are in no doubt the right people are behind bars. They're demanding Wilson and Struber finally take responsibility for their actions, and reveal where they dumped the body of the good man they ruthlessly murdered.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Anne Worthington, Toni Ambrogetti

The Rare Essentials
At the very top of the world, Greenland is not only remote, it's breathtakingly stunning. Its beauty, though, is not why it is so attractive to Donald Trump. He says the island is vital for America's future security. But as well as being geopolitically significant, Greenland is also full of rare earth minerals. They're considered essential ingredients for modern life, critical in the manufacture of mobile phones, computers, electric cars, and even the latest military hardware and weapons. Currently, China controls the world market for these precious materials, so to counter that, President Trump wants to buy Greenland. And if that doesn't work, he has threatened to simply take it. Believe it or not, Trump's bluster is actually good news for a little-known Australian mining company with the exploration rights to Greenland's largest rare earth deposits. It's worth billions of dollars, but as Tara Brown discovers, the locals who stand to share in the riches aren't convinced any of this is beneficial to them.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Laura Sparkes

Weight and See
The wonder of the new group of weight loss drugs like Ozempic is well known. Excess kilos vanish, almost overnight. It's no surprise then that more and more people swear by them, including an increasing number of teenagers. In fact, in Australia these drugs have just become available via prescription for children as young as 12. But as Adam Hegarty reveals, while the immediate benefits seem extraordinary, what's not known are the long-term effects of these substances on young bodies. So here's the question. Is "waiting and seeing" an appropriate course of action if it ends up delivering bad news?
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Sandra Odorisio

The President and the Paedophile
Like him or not, there's no denying Donald Trump has talents. One of the greatest is his ability to endure scandal. In the last five years alone, the President has faced 91 felony counts, four criminal indictments, two impeachment trials, and in a civil case has been found liable for sexual abuse. Yet last November a majority of Americans still voted for him to lead them. Now though, for the first time in his two presidencies, there are chinks in Trump's armour. As Amelia Adams reports, the reason is his bumpy handling of the so-called Epstein files; evidence that may or may not exist about the powerful connections of America's most despised paedophile, the now dead billionaire, Jeffrey Epstein.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Amelia Ballinger

Care at all Costs
The fact there's big money to be made looking after little kids has broken the childcare industry. Its ethos should be to provide care at all costs, but instead, the cost of care seems to now dominate the thinking at many of the businesses that operate childcare facilities. In this 60 Minutes investigation, Dimity Clancey reveals how the desire for profits means centres are often understaffed, which in turn is leading to the mistreatment of innocent children. In some cases, the allegations of abuse and neglect simply beggar belief. Currently there are one and a half million little Australians in the childcare system and it's clear an enormous number deserve much better care than they're receiving.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Anne Worthington, Toni Ambrogetti

A Whale of a Time
Ordinarily, traffic jams cause headaches. But the ones happening off Australia's east and west coasts bring only awe. Right now, about a hundred thousand humpback whales are out there having a whale of a time. Their great migration, which seems to get bigger every year, is also an important reminder of what the world almost lost. Up until the 1960s humpbacks were hunted to the point of extinction. As few as 300 were left in our waters. How things have changed though, and as Adam Hegarty finds out, watching these magnificent creatures is guaranteed to make anyone smile.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Serge Negus

4,000,000,000,000 Reasons to Scam
The superannuation industry in Australia is mostly a fabulous triumph. At last count the super savings pot was overflowing with more than four trillion dollars. That's a lot of zeroes, and guarantees prosperous retirements for millions of hard-working people. But superannuation here has also become a victim of its success. It's now so valuable, like moths to a flame, that it is attracting the unscrupulous, who are hellbent on getting their hands on the riches. On 60 Minutes, Adam Hegarty investigates a rogue super scheme affecting twelve thousand Australians who stand to lose not only a billion dollars plus, but also any hope for happy futures.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producers: Sammi Taylor, Sheree Gibson

Believe In It or Not
When it comes to artificial intelligence, it seems there's little common ground for fans and foes. A.I. is either the greatest advance mankind has made since the industrial revolution, or a dangerous evil that's stealing intellectual property while assigning millions of workers to unemployment queues. So what's the truth? As Amelia Adams reports, it's probably both. However, believe in it or not, one thing is certain. Governments have a responsibility to act now to regulate it because A.I. can't and won't be stopped.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Nichola Younger

On Sunday's 60 Minutes, Karl Stefanovic speaks to Rosie O'Donnell about her ongoing feud with Donald Trump.

Building Bad
No one ever thought rebuilding the crime-riddled and corrupted CFMEU was going to be easy. In the 12 months since 60 Minutes, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian Financial Review exposed a level of rottenness in the construction union that forced the Albanese government to take action, there have been significant wins though. Some good people are working hard to clean up the mess. But despite their efforts, incidents of violence, threatening behaviour and intimidation continue to occur. And the perpetrators are not just from within the union. Continuing his award-winning Building Bad investigation, Nick McKenzie reports how building companies, which once enjoyed cosy relations with the CFMEU's old guard, are now being implicated in allegations of serious law-breaking.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Garry McNab

Get Out!
For the first time in 80 years, last week the Australian government took the drastic decision to kick an ambassador out of the country. Iran's highest-ranking diplomat here, Ahmad Sadeghi, was declared "persona non grata". His expulsion came after an ASIO-led investigation found the Iranian regime was behind two terrifying anti-Semitic attacks on Australian soil last year. Tehran emphatically denies it was involved and on 60 Minutes responds in an exclusive interview with Nine News' National Affairs Editor, Andrew Probyn.
Reporter: Andrew Probyn
Producers: Anne Worthington, Sheree Gibson

Common Knowledge
Smart, fearless and super-quick with one-liners. They're assets that have made Rosie O'Donnell incredibly successful. And funny. Millions of people around the world think she's hilarious. But not everyone. In fact, none other than Donald Trump has become her "hater-in-chief". He's so irritated by the actress and comedienne that he sprays petty insults in her direction whenever he can. Rosie, in turn, gives pretty much as good as she gets, no doubt infuriating the President even more by using his nastiness as material in her one-woman show, Common Knowledge, which she's about to bring to Australia.
Reporter: Karl Stefanovic
Producers: Serge Negus, Sheree Gibson

This week 60 Minutes is looking at the late Australian-American Virginia Giuffre and what it took to expose Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein.

Virginia Giuffre was an incredibly courageous woman. She made global headlines for taking on and bringing down billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. In the process she also sensationally revealed she had been trafficked to Prince Andrew. But despite the at-times-unrelenting media coverage her story attracted, few people knew of the private battle she endured. Virginia, who was living in Western Australia, died in April at the age of 41. Five months on, members of her family, along with her closest confidantes, reveal what was happening in her life. They tell reporter Tara Brown it was Virginia's final wish to inform the world about the agony of her last days.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producers: Laura Sparkes, Sheree Gibson

Charlie Sheen sits down with Amelia Adams on 60 Minutes this Sunday.

Person of Interest
For homicide detectives everywhere, there is no greater frustration than an unsolved murder, especially when there's an obvious person of interest, but not enough evidence to bring them to justice. A case in point is the killing of Prabha Arunkumar in a Sydney park ten years ago. The young wife and mother was stabbed to death as she walked home alone from work. At the time of the attack Prabha was on the phone to her husband in India. But even though he was more than 10,000 kilometres away, police say Arun Govindaraju knows more than he's letting on. On 60 Minutes, Dimity Clancey travels to India and confronts Govindaraju about the brutal death of his wife.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Natalie Clancy

Mr Sheen Comes Clean
At the height of his fame, Charlie Sheen was one of Hollywood's truly great actors. But off-camera he became an even more successful bad-boy. The one-time highest paid star on TV was a drug, alcohol and sex addict whose mishaps and meltdowns were as frequent as they were public. But eight years ago, something quite miraculous and unexpected happened. Sheen cleaned up his act. And now, as he tells Amelia Adams, instead of trying to hide his deepest, darkest and dirtiest secrets, he's owning up to them. No need to worry though, sobriety certainly hasn't made Charlie boring.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producer: Amelia Ballinger

Pop Star Blues
Twenty-five years ago, Vanessa Amorosi wowed the world with her powerful performances at both the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Sydney Olympic Games. Back then she was 19, starting out on what would become a brilliant career. Outwardly, Vanessa wore her success, along with the wealth that fame brought, with ease. But behind the scenes, not everything was shiny. For the past decade the pop star has been locked in a bitter financial dispute with her own mother. As Nine's Tracy Grimshaw reports, it's something Vanessa has not spoken about publicly, until now.
Reporter: Tracy Grimshaw
Producers: Anne Worthington, Sammi Taylor

Nightmare on Alva Beach
One night. Five strangers. Many drinks. Two dead. What occurred seven years ago at the tiny settlement of Alva Beach in North Queensland simply shouldn't have. It began innocently enough with a small, impromptu beach party, but somehow, hours later, became a frantic search for an injured woman, which led to a home invasion that ended with a teenager stabbing two men to death. For the first police officers called to this nightmare, the scene that confronted them could not have been more chaotic or confusing. On 60 Minutes, Adam Hegarty meets one of those officers who reveals why, all these years later, he remains deeply troubled by what he believes was a flawed investigation into that bizarre and tragic night.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Serge Negus

Too Much Space
In terms of living and working conditions, it couldn't have been more claustrophobic. For NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams though, there was actually too much space. Their mission, the first crewed flight aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule to the International Space Station, was planned for eight days. However, a combination of life-threatening mechanical malfunctions and logistic obstacles meant it ended up taking more than nine months. But as Adam Hegarty finds out, what an adventure they had as they waited for the return trip home: 400 kilometres up in space, and orbiting the earth every 90 minutes at 28,000 kilometres an hour. Butch and Suni handled their unexpectedly lengthy space odyssey with such composure that they well and truly proved they're made of the right stuff.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producers: Nichola Younger, Sheree Gibson

Policing Matters
By any measure, Krissy Barrett's rise through the ranks of the Australian Federal Police is impressive. Twenty-five years ago, she started in the AFP as an intern. Just over a week ago she became the Commissioner, the first woman in AFP history to hold the position. But gender is not the reason she got the job. Commissioner Barrett is a highly skilled police officer who, as she tells Nine's Tracy Grimshaw, fully understands the responsibility she has, and the significant challenges she faces to keep Australians safe.
Reporter: Tracy Grimshaw
Producer: Amelia Ballinger

The Confession
Fifty-five years ago, three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer was snatched from a Wollongong beach. It's presumed the little girl was murdered, even though her body has never been found. All these years later the crime remains unsolved. But there is a disturbing twist in this case. A man has disclosed to police that he mercilessly strangled Cheryl. When taken to court though, his confession was ruled inadmissible, meaning the self-proclaimed killer walked free. For the Grimmer family, not knowing where their precious girl is has meant more than half a century of torment. But as Tara Brown reports, they'll always keep searching for Cheryl, and for any clues to help police track down the person responsible for taking her.
Reporter: Tara Brown

Look! No Hands (or Feet)
It's not widely known yet, but a revolution is happening on our roads. Self-driving cars have arrived in Australia. They're Teslas fitted with updated software which means drivers can travel from A to B with their hands off the wheel and their feet off the pedals. There's no doubt the technology seems impressive, but as Amelia Adams discovers, that doesn't guarantee it's safe, or even that it works all the time. In America self-driving Teslas have been involved in serious crashes, a number fatal. So what are Australia's road and vehicle regulators doing to stop similar tragedies happening here? As it turns out, not much.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producers: Toni Ambrogetti, Garry McNab

Not So Heroic
Anyone who looks up to the sky and sees a Westpac rescue helicopter flying by will quite likely spare a thought for the heroes onboard, dedicated to saving lives 24/7. While people often believe these famous choppers are all part of one operation, in fact there are a number of different rescue entities dotted around the country. Unfortunately, not all of them are as heroic as Australians think. In this joint 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age investigation, the northern New South Wales Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service faces damning allegations of a toxic and hazardous work environment, relentless bullying, sexual harassment and, equally troubling, a lack of safety compliance.
Reporter: Eryk Bagshaw
Producers: Laura Sparkes, Patrick Begley

Building Bad
When 60 Minutes, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald exposed the widespread rottenness in the construction wing of the CFMEU, the federal government was quick to promise to clean it up. And progress seemed to be made. Decent, hard-working unionists were identified and promoted, while the baddies were booted. Or so it seemed. What's emerging now though, 15 months on, is that some suspected corrupt union officials were not sacked, rather the exact opposite. And as Nick McKenzie discovers, believe it or not, they've even been given expanded leadership roles at the CFMEU.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie

Learning to be Different
The number of Australian children who don't ever enrol in mainstream education, or do attend school but then leave it, has doubled in the last five years. It means that more than 48,000 kids don't sit in a traditional classroom now. Instead, they're embracing a different kind of learning. It's mostly known as home-schooling, but now terms like un-schooling or, if you've got enough money, world-schooling, are also being added to the vocabulary. As Adam Hegarty reports, bullying and school refusal are some of the reasons for the increase in numbers, but so too are parents who defiantly think they know better than the teachers.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producer: Sandra Odorisio

In Need of Care
Up until she was eight, Juliette Playford thought she was a normal kid living a normal, happy life. Then everything changed. To escape gambling debts and the fact he had lost his job, her father decided to murder his family and take his own life. Tragically, Stephen Playford succeeded in killing his youngest daughter Sidney, but failed in his attempt to kill Juliette, or her mother Maria. And he didn't die. Ever since that awful night, Juliette, now 18, has been trying to heal from the trauma she has suffered. What she's realised is that child survivors of domestic violence don't receive the care they need. As she tells Dimity Clancey, Australia needs to take urgent action to address this terrible situation.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Anne Worthington, Toni Ambrogetti

Prince No More
What shame Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has brought upon the royal family. His association with now-dead billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell was clearly beyond the pale. But even worse, blinded by his own arrogance, he thought he could lie his way out of damning accusations made by Virginia Giuffre, that she was sex-trafficked to him when she was just 17. Leaked emails also subsequently exposed him as the engineer of a smear campaign to discredit Ms Giuffre's claims. Ultimately, the damage Andrew was inflicting on the monarchy was so immense that King Charles had no option but to strip his brother of all his titles and honours, including Prince. Adding to Andrew's humiliation, he's being evicted from his 30-room royal mansion. As Tara Brown reports, many are demanding his next home be a prison cell.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producers: Laura Sparkes, Sammi Taylor

At Home on the Farm
An invitation to chat with Russell Crowe is not something to be knocked back. Not only because he's one of the world's great actors, and has been for decades. Unlike many other movie stars, Crowe speaks his mind. He's happy to say exactly what he likes about Hollywood and what he doesn't. Of course, he loves the craft of acting, but not the celebrity side of the industry. As Karl Stefanovic discovers, Russell would much rather spend his precious spare time at home on the farm.
Reporter: Karl Stefanovic
Producers: Serge Negus, Anna Cordaiy

The Survivor
It was a horrific disaster: 242 people were on board Air India flight 171 when it fell from the sky and blew up in a catastrophic fireball five months ago. All the passengers and crew died, except one man. Unbelievably, 39-year-old Viswashkumar Ramesh escaped the burning wreckage. His story of survival is truly incredible, but far from celebrating it, he remains grief-stricken and guilt-ridden. He wants to know why he was so lucky when so many others, including his brother Ajay, weren't? As Dimity Clancey reports, Viswashkumar is also increasingly angry. He feels deserted by Air India and says its response to his pleas for help, along with questions about the cause of the crash, are being ignored.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producers: Natalie Clancy, Sacha Passi

It Stinks
A dot in the Pacific, Nauru is not only one of the world's tiniest countries, it's also one of the most corrupt. But that doesn't seem to bother Australia's federal government, which is throwing billions of dollars at the place. The reason? Nauru has agreed to take a number of former detainees, or "non-citizens" as they're called, that Canberra is desperate to get rid of. As an upfront payment, Australia has already committed over four hundred million dollars to Nauru's dodgy government, which is led by a man who allegedly pocketed money for himself and his cronies on multiple occasions in the past. As Nick McKenzie reports in this joint 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age investigation, adding to the stench of the deal is the refusal of our government to engage in a public defence of it.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Garry McNab

60 Minutes on Sunday looks to the rise in e-bikes, plus Melbourne oral surgeon George Dimitroulis.

Riding for a Fall
It's difficult to argue with advocates of electric bikes who are spot on when describing them as convenient, cheap to run and good for the environment. There's a big "but" though. Many of the e-bikes zooming along our roads and footpaths don't meet Australian safety standards. Many can also be easily modified, meaning they can travel at speeds far in excess of the permitted 25 kilometres an hour. In fact, some are more like motorbikes than bikes. As Amelia Adams reports, it's an enormous worry especially because riders are often young, inexperienced, and not cognisant that the consequences of a crash can be catastrophic.
Reporter: Amelia Adams
Producers: Sandra Odorisio, Nichola Younger

Jaws of Strife
Australia has some of the most skilful surgeons in the world. And some of the most inventive. Melbourne doctor George Dimitroulis wants the country to believe he's one of them. He's an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who specialises in fixing damaged jaws. To do so he has developed a 3D printed prosthetic joint. It seems impressive, but far from making his patients' lives better, many believe they've ended up worse off after having the device implanted. On assignment for 60 Minutes, Nine's Christine Ahern speaks to patients who claim Dr Dimitroulis's operation has resulted in immeasurable suffering.
Reporter: Christine Ahern
Producers: Natalie Clancy, Toni Ambrogetti

Lights, Cameras, Lawyers
Actor Rebel Wilson is one of Australia's favourite and most successful comedic exports. But there's nothing funny about the predicament she currently finds herself in. What should have been a highlight of her career, directing her first feature film, has instead turned into a drama of blockbuster proportions. Wilson is in a toxic dispute with the $15 million project's producers and a lead actor. Accusations of sexual misconduct, embezzlement, lying and bullying now form the core of multiple defamation cases. The allegations are contained in legal documents, but remain untested in court. However, as Tara Brown reports, the prospect of having a courtroom as a stage, and lawyers not moviegoers as an audience, is not a performance Rebel Wilson wants to laugh about.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Amelia Ballinger

Finnish yes, Finished No
At 34, Sanna Marin marked her name in history by not only becoming the prime minister of Finland, but also one of the world's youngest leaders. From 2019 she ruled the northern European country that borders Russia at a particularly strained time, first through the COVID pandemic and then as Russian dictator Putin launched his invasion of nearby Ukraine. Her calmness in a crisis earned distinction, but she also attracted plenty of controversy. In particular, Marin's partying ways proved divisive. While many Finns applauded their no-nonsense leader, just as many tut-tutted her un-prime-ministerial behaviour. Marin left office in 2023, but as Dimity Clancey reports, when she did, still as a very young woman, she faced a dilemma: how to prove there really was life after politics.
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Natalie Clancy

The Vital Clues
So many Australians travel to Bali each year that it's easy to think it is actually a part of Australia, and therefore easy to forget that when things go wrong on the island, they can go really wrong. Last May, 23-year-old Queenslander Byron Haddow thought two weeks of partying in Bali would not only be the perfect holiday, it would be perfectly safe. But four days after arriving, something terrible happened at the villa where he was staying, and Byron died. Despite three other Australians being with him at the time, local police haven't been able to determine the exact circumstances of what happened, or even Byron's exact cause of death. On 60 Minutes, Adam Hegarty investigates vital new evidence which could piece together the last moments of this young man's life.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producers: Laura Sparkes, Sammi Taylor

The Menace of the Taipans
When an Australian army MRH-90 Taipan helicopter crashed off the North Queensland coast during a training exercise in July 2023, four young airmen were killed. It was the worst peacetime military incident in decades. Two and a half years on, the families of Captain Dann Lyon, Lieutenant Max Nugent, Corporal Alex Naggs and Warrant Officer Phillip Laycock have united to speak publicly for the first time. And their message could not be clearer. They want Australia to know this was a disaster that never should have happened. They say a litany of errors by the Defence Department, along with a culture that consistently put risk before safety, is to blame for the crash. On assignment for 60 Minutes, Nine's national affairs editor Andrew Probyn reports there is also substantial expert evidence to back up the very serious claims being made by the families.
Reporter: Andrew Probyn
Producers: Anne Worthington, Sheree Gibson