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Investigative journalism

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Best investigations from the Herald

Holding the powerful to account, uncovering truths and delivering in-depth analysis, this is investigative journalism that makes a difference.

15 stories
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says she wants to unite Australia under one flag.

The senator, the ex-PM and the lobby group: Price’s crusade to remake the Liberals

The conservative politics of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has deep roots. Her future is tied to a campaign group that attacks her Liberal colleagues.

  • Patrick Begley and Natassia Chrysanthos
Underquoting NSW

What makes Sydney the underquoting capital of Australia

Almost half the time, Sydney property buyers are wasting their time pursuing places they can’t afford, an exclusive data mining project reveals.

  • Aisha Dow, Nigel Gladstone, Lucy Macken and The Visual Stories Team
Former Kyckr chief technology officer Rebecca Glover and Richard White.

The controlling mind, the ‘cover-up’ and the critical flaw: Fresh claims against Richard White

A former chief technology officer has made accusations against the controversial billionaire in a wrongful dismissal claim.

  • Kate McClymont and Max Mason
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‘He has destroyed my life’: Emma’s nightmare in the heart of the Terzini empire

Maurice Terzini and Emma Addams had plans to take the renowned Bondi Icebergs restaurant global. Instead, she says their three-year marriage has left her broke and devastated.

  • Clare Sibthorpe, Eryk Bagshaw and Natalie Clancy
D’Accord OAS’s managing director Gino Carrafa.
  • Exclusive

‘Totally destructive’: Major mental health provider threatens its counsellors

Gino Carrafa has a penchant for extravagant holidays and inspirational quotes. Now his company is threatening therapists after refusing to pay them for months.

  • Eryk Bagshaw
Former MPs with ties to defence contractors.
  • Investigation

Battle stations: The former PM, ministers, and military brass cashing in on Australia’s defence spending bonanza

With billions of dollars in AUKUS spending looming, the rush to join defence industry contractors and advisory firms has never been greater.

  • Deborah Snow
Josh Tesolin was suspended by NSW Fair Trading for four months following an investigation by this masthead.
  • Exclusive

Accused of dummy bidding and underquoting, ‘Teflon’ Josh still rakes it in despite suspension

A show-cause notice served on the star agent has been extended until later this month given the quantity and seriousness of the allegations against him.

  • Lucy Macken
Poker machines at Bankstown Sports Club, the second most profitable club by gaming revenue in NSW.

The mini casinos making a cash bonanza under ‘hardship’ exemptions

The second most profitable club in NSW is benefiting from a historical loophole that allows it to operate its poker machines during the riskiest hours for gambling harm.

  • Harriet Alexander
March for Australia and Bec Freedom.
  • Investigation

‘White Australians’ and neo-Nazis: Who’s behind anti-immigration rally

Bec Freedom is organising Sunday’s protest for “Australian heritage” and describes herself as a “freedom fighter”, “nationalist” and “patriot”. But leaked recordings paint a different picture.

  • Kayla Olaya
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Kate Burns and Abigail Rodwell.
  • Exclusive

Gaslit, dismissed and treated as hypochondriacs: The gender divide in iron deficiency

Ignored by doctors for years, Abigail almost died, with one doctor in the end saying she had the blood count of a shark attack or car crash victim.

  • Kate Aubusson
A legal stoush is brewing over the watertight structure known as a cofferdam that allowed the foundations of the new market to be laid.
  • Exclusive

Dubious loan, ‘bully boy’ tactics as costs blow out on Sydney Fish Market

Building costs have skyrocketed since Multiplex won the contract for the new outlet, but with the NSW government unwilling to spend more on the colossal project, it is turning the screws on subcontractors.

  • Harriet Alexander
An aerial view of the Newport home at the centre of controversy over unauthorised works. Home in question is third from the right.
  • Investigation

Fury as Sydneysiders build their mansions, then ‘ask forgiveness later’

Some home renovators are sparking battles on multiple fronts, infuriating neighbours, forcing councils to dispatch compliance teams and unleashing court skirmishes.

  • Carrie Fellner
Player manager Sam Ayoub, Samantha Johnson and former Australian rugby league representative Johnathan Thurston.
  • Exclusive

The star footballer, his manager and the explosive claims engulfing their academy

Johnathan Thurston and his long-time controversial manager Sam Ayoub are embroiled in an explosive lawsuit involving a former employee of their organisation.

  • Kate McClymont and Chris Barrett
Merivale Day 3 gif
  • Investigation

How a cricket bag full of cash helped spawn Merivale’s multibillion-dollar empire

Just how the Hemmes family’s property portfolio has grown from one small pub in 1972 to more than 80 hospitality venues today has long been the stuff of intrigue.

  • Lucy Macken
The Red Shop’s shelves might be empty but business is brisk through the window at the rear.
  • Investigation

60 tobacconists for every McDonald’s: How Sydney’s streets became consumed by smoke shops

Take a walk down a main street in Sydney and you’ll notice that tobacco is still big business, even with less than 10 per cent of the population now smoking.

  • Lucy Macken and Riley Walter

Other series

The 2026 MICF has kicked off

Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026

This year’s laugh fest has kicked off, with more than 2000 performers stepping up to the mic. Here, our writers take a closer look

  • 10 stories
Sam Mitchell flies the flag after Matthew Lloyd’s hit on Brad Sewell.

Hate of origin: Inside football’s most intense rivalry

Essendon and Hawthorn have hated each other for more than 40 years, from some old-fashioned thuggery and a fake drug scandal in the mid-80s to last year’s failed bid by the Hawks to poach the Bombers’ captain.

  • 5 stories