Episodes

  • From The Front: John Peros defamation case dismissed
    Aug 27 2024

    In this episode of our daily news podcast, a QLD Supreme Court judge dismisses the defamation action brought against The Australian by the man acquitted of killing Shandee Blackburn.

    Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app.

    This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. The multimedia editor is Lia Tsamoglou and original music is composed by Jasper Leak.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    20 mins
  • From The Front: Can journalists call someone a murderer?
    Jul 31 2024

    A defamation case sparked by the Shandee’s Story podcast poses the question: can journalists publish evidence that calls a court finding into doubt?

    Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app.

    This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Stephanie Coombes and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team also includes Lia Tsamoglou, Jasper Leak, Kristen Amiet and Tiffany Dimmack.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    17 mins
  • From The Front: John Peros v The Australian
    Jul 30 2024

    From our daily news podcast The Front, John Peros' defamation action against Hedley Thomas, Shannah Blackburn and the publishers of The Australian.

    For free daily news, search 'The Front' wherever you listen, and subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode.

    This episode is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Stephanie Coombes and edited by Jasper Leak.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    16 mins
  • Shandee’s Legacy Episode 14: Closing Ranks
    Nov 24 2023

    There was no fanfare when Commissioner Annabelle Bennett SC handed down her findings from the Project 13 inquiry.

    Only disappointment that the inquiry failed to hold anyone responsible for the biggest disaster in the lab’s history.

    In this episode of Shandee’s Legacy, Dr Kirsty Wright joins Hedley Thomas, Claire Harvey, and David Murray to dissect and comment on the findings from this rare second inquiry, the future of a lab at the heart of the criminal justice system, and the case which started all of this: the slaying of Shandee Blackburn in 2013.

    To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search Shandee's Story or visit shandee.com.au.

    For daily updates, subscribe to The Front in your podcast app.

    If you need support, Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Shandee’s Legacy Episode 13: Science Speak
    Nov 11 2023

    Public hearings in a second inquiry into the lab and the disastrous Project 13 have concluded. Closing submissions have been delivered. And still questions are left unanswered.

    Why was the automated process unleashed on precious crime-scene samples? Who wrote the mysterious and damning Project 13 report? And why didn’t the lab’s new boss flag it in the first inquiry?

    In this episode, Hedley Thomas, David Murray, and Matthew Condon dissect a baffling week in Brisbane’s Magistrates Court – and what it all means for the investigation into the murder of Shandee Blackburn.

    To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search Shandee's Story or visit shandee.com.au.


    For daily updates, subscribe to The Front in your podcast app.
    If you need support, Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Shandee’s Legacy Episode 12: History Repeating
    Oct 27 2023

    Public hearings for a rare second inquiry into catastrophic failings at Queensland’s besieged forensics lab are about to get underway in Brisbane.

    In this episode of Shandee’s Legacy, Hedley Thomas, David Murray, Claire Harvey, and Matthew Condon drill down into the questions yet to be answered about Project 13: who knew what and when, and why didn’t the lab’s new boss raise it at the first inquiry?

    We also get to know the new legal team brought in to lead the new inquiry.

    To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search Shandee's Story or visit shandee.com.au.

    For daily updates, subscribe to The Front in your podcast app.

    If you need support, Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • From The Front: Queensland's DNA lab is back under the microscope
    Oct 5 2023

    The Queensland government will reopen an inquiry into its troubled DNA lab after new evidence of flawed automated testing processes emerged.

    Find out more about The Front podcast here and subscribe in your podcast app. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    14 mins
  • Shandee’s Legacy Episode 11: What Linzi Left Out
    Sep 15 2023

    A cloud has been cast over the new chief of the lab following revelations that a DNA extraction method may have failed across thousands of samples in criminal cases for nine years.

    Professor Linzi Wilson-Wilde reviewed the automated method for retired judge Walter Sofronoff’s inquiry into the lab in 2022, but in her subsequent report did not mention information that she came across showing it was having serious problems recovering DNA.

    In this episode, Professor Wilson-Wilde launches a staunch defence of her report for the inquiry, saying she was engaged to examine a separate issue of the method contaminating crime scene samples soon after its introduction in 2007.

    To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search Shandee's Story or visit shandee.com.au.

    If you need support, Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 27 mins