60 Minutes (Australian TV program)

60 Minutes (Australian TV program)
Company type	Television program
Industry	News broadcasting
Predecessor	CBS's 60 Minutes (American TV program)
Founded	1979; 47 years ago
Founder	Gerald Stone
Successor	Under Investigation (spin-off)
Headquarters	Sydney, Australia
Area served	Australia, New Zealand
Key people	Kirsty Thomson (executive producer)
Products	News magazine television program
Owner	Nine Network
Parent	Nine Network
Website	www.9now.com.au/60-minutes

60 Minutes represents the Australian version of the American news magazine program 60 Minutes, broadcast on the Nine Network since 1979 during Sunday evenings. The New Zealand edition features segments sourced from the Australian production. It stands among five programs honoured with induction into Australia's television Logie Hall of Fame.

History

The show was created by American producer Gerald Stone, who was appointed as the first executive producer in 1979 by media tycoon Kerry Packer. Stone adapted it from CBS's 60 Minutes for an Australian audience, initially showcasing leading journalists such as George Negus, Ray Martin, and Ian Leslie. Early highlights include Negus's 1981 interview with UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, during which she robustly contested his inquiries.

In 1982, reporter Jana Wendt conducted an interview with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, probing his contentious reputation.

In 2019, 60 Minutes conducted an investigation into organised crime connections within Australian casino operator Crown Resorts, which led to several state and federal probes, including the NSW Bergin Inquiry that assessed Crown's appropriateness to retain a casino licence.

March 2021 saw Nine Network introduce Under Investigation, a one-hour studio-based spin-off hosted by Liz Hayes and produced by Gareth Harvey, featuring expert panels that delve into detailed story analyses.

Current correspondents

Tara Brown (2001–present)
Amelia Adams (2022–present)
Adam Hegarty (2024–present)
Dimity Clancey (2024–present)

Former correspondents

George Negus † (1979–1986)
Ray Martin (1979–1984)
Ian Leslie (1979–1989)
Kate Baillieu (1979, resigned prior to first broadcast)
Jana Wendt (1982–1986, 1994)
Jeff McMullen (1985–2000)
Jennifer Byrne (1986–1993)
Mike Munro (1986–1992)
Richard Carleton † (1987–2006)
Tracey Curro (1993–1997)
Ellen Fanning (1999–2000)
Paul Barry (2004–2005)
Peter Harvey † (2003–2013)
Michael Usher (2009–2016)
Ross Coulthart (2015–2018)
Charles Wooley (1993–2005, 2009–2019)
Liam Bartlett (2006–2012, 2015–2022)
Peter Stefanovic (2017)
Tom Steinfort (2018, 2020–2023)
Liz Hayes (1996–2025)

Contributing reporters

Peter Overton (2001–2009 full-time, 2009–present part-time)
Karl Stefanovic (2005–present)
Ray Martin (2010–present)
Deborah Knight (2020–present)
Allison Langdon (2011–2017 full-time, 2018 onward part-time)
Nick McKenzie (2019–present)
Sarah Abo (2019–2022 full-time, resumed 2023 onward)
Tracy Grimshaw (2024–present)

Commentators

Paul Lyneham † (1996–2000)
Peter Harvey † (2003–2013)

Executive producers

Gerald Stone † (1979–1992)
Kirsty Thomson (2016 to present)

Awards

Throughout its run, 60 Minutes has received numerous industry honours, including five Silver Logies and a Special Achievement Logie, alongside six further Logie nominations. The program was inducted into the TV Week Logie Hall of Fame in 2018. Its 2019 exposé on organised crime’s influence over gaming giant Crown Resorts earned a Walkley Award and instigated two Royal Commissions. Additionally, the 2020 investigation titled The Faceless Man, uncovering political corruption, was awarded a Walkley for best long-form television journalism.

Controversies

In February 1988, 60 Minutes collaborated with James Randi to fabricate a psychic named "Carlos" (portrayed by José Alvarez) as part of an exposé revealing how deceptive mediums exploit free media coverage and manipulate susceptible audiences in Australia. This ruse persuaded several Channel 9 shows, such as Today, A Current Affair, Sunday, and Nine News, to present "Carlos" as an authentic psychic. The stunt gained further attention when his assistant deliberately splashed water on George Negus during a segment on Today. Following the disclosure of the hoax, the network encountered public backlash and reports emerged of employee terminations.

A July 1989 60 Minutes broadcast titled "The County" examined the Indigenous community in Redfern, NSW, through a law enforcement lens. The program was met with strong criticism from the Koori community for its unfavorable depiction, unauthorized filming practices, and the use of racial slurs by police officers. Although a complaint alleging racial vilification was submitted to the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal, it was ultimately dismissed.

In April 2016, reporter Tara Brown along with eight colleagues—including David Ballment, Stephen Rice, and Ben Williamson—were detained in Beirut amid accusations of child abduction during an attempted recovery mission. Lebanese officials asserted that 60 Minutes paid $115,000 to a discredited Child Abduction Recovery Agency. The team was accused of forcibly removing children from their grandmother and nanny before fleeing the country. Charges brought against them included armed abduction and threats punishable by up to twenty years of hard labor. The group was released after Nine Network agreed to a significant financial settlement with the children's father. This event ignited widespread discussion about journalistic ethics.

In May 2019, a jury determined that a 2015 60 Minutes segment concerning the 2011 Grantham floods defamed four Wagner family members by suggesting they were responsible for twelve fatalities. Subsequently, Channel Nine was ordered in November to pay $2.4 million plus $63,000 in interest; journalist Nick Cater was also mandated to compensate an additional $1.2 million in damages. Justice Peter Applegarth highlighted that Cater had withheld information contradicting the allegations and criticized Channel Nine for not notifying the Wagner family prior to broadcast or including their perspective within the program.

In popular media

The series Underbelly: Vanishing Act incorporates 60 Minutes in its depiction of Melissa Caddick's narrative.
The Netflix drama Apple Cider Vinegar dramatizes the interview conducted by Tara Brown with Belle Gibson.

External links