Episode
60 Minutes Australia: 2013-06-30
Overview
Ghost Cities Late Bloomers Hugh and Deb Ghost Cities We have a lot to thank our Chinese neighbours for. The Communist giant’s remarkable boom has shielded us here in Australia from the worst of the global economic downturn. Our mineral resources are fuelling a rush of urban development across China that is simply mind-boggling. Vast new megacities, bigger than London or New York are shooting up all over the country at a rate of 20 a year. But there are disturbing signs that the bubble is about to burst. Take a visit to some of these mega-cities and you’ll find them bizarrely empty. Brand new, shiny, ghost towns. Reporter: Michael Usher Producer: Stephen Rice Late Bloomers If you were one of those people shocked by the news that Lisa Curry was planning to have a baby at age 51 – take a deep breath. The former Olympic swim champ is part of a growing trend. In fact, at 51, she’s a mere pup compared to many older women taking the plunge into parenthood.
Details
- Series
- 60 Minutes Australia
- Season
- Season 2013
- Episode
- Episode 21
- Air date
- 2013-06-30
Episode context
2013-06-30 is Episode 21 in Season 2013 of 60 Minutes Australia. It aired on 2013-06-30.
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Episode 20: 2013-06-23
Murder on Parole Lost and Found Murder on Parole As multiple rapist and murderer Adrian Bayley sits in his jail cell with no prospect of release for 35 years. This monster stalked, raped and then murdered Melbourne woman Jill Meagher, as she walked home from a night out. Adding to that horror, we now know that Bayley has been a sexual predator for the past 20 years, repeatedly raping women and repeatedly getting caught, only to serve minimum prison sentences, after convincing authorities he was safe to be released. Sarah Cafferkey was murdered by a violent repeat offender just 2 months after Jill Meagher was killed. On Sunday, Sarah’s mother breaks her silence, to call for tighter restrictions on the prison and parole system. Reporter: Tara Brown Producers: Stephen Taylor, Ali Smith Lost and Found Few life stories involve such impossible odds, incredible love, and sheer determination as Saroo Brierley’s.
Episode 22: 2013-07-07
Fatal Flaw Emma Known Unto God Fatal Flaw The Robinson R44 is one of the most popular helicopters in Australia. It’s commonly used by small business, tourism operators, and in regional Australia. For nearly twenty years it’s been allowed to fly, despite mounting proof it’s a death trap. It has a faulty fuel tank, that can explode on impact, turning minor and survivable accidents – into deadly infernos. In a special 2 year investigation, 60 Minutes has uncovered dozens of crashes – blamed for the deaths of 78 people in the past 10 years alone. And despite evidence they knew all along, the manufacturer Robinson, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, did nothing. Worse still, they’re now facing the same deadly problem with the smaller R22. Reporter: Allison Langdon Producer: Gareth Harvey Emma Last month, we broadcast the story of nine-year-old Emma Hayes. Emma has gender dysphoria – born as a boy, but in her mind she’s a girl.
More episodes from this season
Episode 19: 2013-06-16
Emma
Everest ER
Outback Hope
Emma
It’s the most exciting day in a parent’s life – finding out whether their baby is a boy or a girl. But for some, the answer is not always clear-cut. Emma Hayes was just 5 years old, when she told her parents that, despite being born a boy, she wanted to live and dress as a girl. Diagnosed with gender dysphoria, Emma is among a growing number of children across the country, who insist they’re trapped in the wrong body. Now, Emma’s parents have agreed to let her live as a girl, and have re-enrolled her at the same school, as a female. This Sunday, Emma and her family are sharing their story, in the hope they’ll create awareness and acceptance.
Reporter: Karl Stefanovic
Producers: Steve Jackson, Lincoln Howes
Everest ER
On Sunday, join Michael Usher five and a half thousand metres above sea level, at Everest Base Camp, where mountaineers launch their quest for the summit. It’s a deadly pursuit and 60 years after Sir Edmund Hillary reached the peak, more people than ever, are risking their lives to scale Everest. But even the most experienced climbers can develop deadly altitude sickness and they end up in the world’s highest hospital. They call it “Everest ER”, a tiny tent where volunteer doctors try to rebuild broken bodies, and shattered dreams.
Reporter: Michael Usher
Producer: Jo Townsend
Outback Hope
For more than a century, outback Australia has been a place of hope, hardship and second chances. Generations of men and women have made their fortunes or lost them, on the whim of the land. Now, a legendary Queensland horse whisperer is giving back to the people who helped make his family prosperous. Damien Curr is taking young Aboriginal men with little opportunity and hope in life, and training them to be stockmen. With Damien’s help and skill, our Indigenous youth are saddling up and riding tall.
Reporter: Charles Wooley
Producer: Nick Greenaway
Episode 23: 2013-07-14
Reasonable Doubt
Ancient Giants
Reasonable Doubt
In 2003, Kathleen Folbigg was found guilty of killing her 3 babies and 1 toddler. Initially, all four children were found to have died of natural causes but after forensic pathologists learned of the other deaths, they changed their opinion. Kathleen was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Now 10 years on, leading criminal, medical, legal and psychological experts believe Kathleen Folbigg should be set free. In this special report, 60 Minutes details how the jury was misled, the dodgy evidence the conviction was based on and, tragically, how multiple infant deaths in the one family, while rare, can and have happened around the world. You’ll see never before seen parts of Kathleen’s police interview, hear her inner most thoughts from inside jail and meet ‘Team Kathleen’ – the supporters pushing for a judicial review. And viewers will get to have their say through a live poll on the 60 Minutes ipad App and the 60 Minutes facebook page.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Jo Townsend
Ancient Giants
The Nullarbor Plain is famous for its emptiness. Vast and Barren. But that wasn’t always the case. More than 50,000 years ago they resembled the plains of Africa. Giant creatures, scientists call mega fauna, roamed the outback. There was a giant kangaroo, a massive wombat, even an Australian lion. Today they have all gone, but the search for their remains is hotting up. It’s a quest that takes palaeontologists deep underground, into a secret cave, somewhere on the Nullarbor. It’s beautiful and breathtaking, and contains some of the most spectacular fossils you’ll ever see.
Reporter: Allison Langdon
Producer: Nick Greenaway
Episode 18: 2013-06-09
Invisible Threat Rag Trade Inside Scientology Tahlia's Story Invisible Threat It was brazen and brutal. When a British soldier was run down by a car in London and then hacked to death with meat cleavers, it signalled the beginning of a new and frightening form of terrorism. Two British born, Muslim men at the scene, hands bloodied and still carrying their weapons waited patiently for police to arrive - all the while spreading their message of hate to stunned onlookers. It raises the frightening question - how do you counter terrorism by young radicalised men, willing to act as individuals with no threat or warning? Reporter: Liz Hayes Producer: Stephen Rice Rag Trade This is a story our major retailers would prefer you didn't see. 60 Minutes has just been inside the third world factories where thousands of workers are making the cut-price clothes that we wear every day. Getting our cameras into the country, and then into the factories, was not easy.
Episode 24: 2013-07-21
Made of Steel
Trigger Happy
Bull Run
Made of Steel
Liam Knight is a living miracle. In January, he was at a friend’s 18th birthday party, when a two and a half metre steel pole was speared straight through his skull. Two teenagers have been charged in relation to the incident – and the events of that night will soon be heard by a court. On 60 Minutes, you’ll see the story of Liam’s amazing survival and recovery. Paramedics, emergency services, trauma specialists and surgeons all worked together to stabilise Liam; cut the end of the pole off, so he could fit inside the ambulance; perform an emergency roadside procedure to put Liam into a coma; and then once in surgery, painstakingly and delicately pull the steel rod back out of his head. Family and friends took up a bedside vigil as Liam lay in a coma for two weeks. Then this cheeky young man would wake up, telling his mum “I need to pee”. His sense of humour was back, but 6 months on, Liam is still struggling to regain his life. This story will make you wince, cry, laugh and wonder at the miracle of Liam Knight.
Reporter: Karl Stefanovic
Producer: Nick Greenaway
Trigger Happy
Since the shocking mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School last December, there have been more than 6 thousand people killed by a gun in America. With numbers like these, it would be reasonable to expect the U.S. would be doing everything it could to reduce access to firearms. Well, Liz Hayes just travelled across America and found quite the opposite. The gun lobby is more outspoken than ever. Women are signing up to “Pistol Packing Ladies” clubs. Kids as young as 7 years old are being taught to shoot. And we’ll take you to the town where they’ve passed a law to make it compulsory to own a gun.
Reporter: Liz Hayes
Producer: Phil Goyen
Bull Run
Every year, tens of thousands of people descend on Pamplona in Spain, for the Running of the Bulls. It’s a cultural festival that’s been commercialised and overrun by backpackers and booze-fuelled tourists. Injuries occur every day, and deaths are not uncommon. Traditionally, women don’t usually take part, but this year a 23 year old Australian woman was gored by a bull. Allison Langdon was there to witness the terrifying stampede and see the carnage that’s left behind.
Reporter: Allison Langdon
Producer: Gareth Harvey
Episode 17: 2013-06-02
Australian Rabies Scammed! Search for Truth Australian Rabies The deadly threat of Rabies has reached our shores. Earlier this year, the Australian Bat Lyssavirus, claimed its third human victim. And only a fortnight ago, a horse tested positive for the virus, the first known cross-species infection. Lyssavirus is Australia’s Rabies, spread the same way, with the same horrific symptoms, and just as deadly. Any one of the millions of native bats across the country could be carrying it. In February, 8-year-old Lincoln Flynn lost his life in the most devastating of circumstances, after being scratched by a bat. This Sunday Lincoln’s parents tell his story, in the hope they’ll save lives. Reporter: Liz Hayes Producer: Lincoln Howes Scammed! We’ve all heard of the Nigerian scammers, conmen who bombard us with tales of woe and get rich quick schemes. You’d think we’d be wise to them by now but they lure more than a hundred million dollars out of Australians every year.
Episode 25: 2013-08-04
Episode 16: 2013-05-26
Genetic Curse Miracle at Sea Hazel Genetic Curse When Angelina Jolie announced she'd taken the drastic step of removing both her breasts to avoid cancer, she was widely lauded for her courage. Not only for undergoing such a radical procedure but for being so open about it. Sadly for one Australian family, Jolie's news was all too familiar. The Neave family has had to grapple with the same mutant breast cancer gene. Sisters, Veronica, Elisha and Chrissy are three of the most determined women you could ever hope to meet. Like Angelina, they've taken extreme steps to beat cancer, but the battle rages on. Reporter: Tara Brown Producer: Stephen Rice Miracle at Sea For decades we have listened to peoples stories and this is among the most riveting we've ever heard. Brett Archibald, a 50-year-old South African, on a surfing trip to Indonesia, falls overboard in the middle of the night. One man, all alone in the ocean fighting the elements, fending off sharks and battling to keep his sanity.
Episode 26: 2013-08-11
P!NK Fighting Back Supernova P!NK Australia is tickled Pink! Once again the enigmatic singer has taken up residence and during this current national tour she’ll perform to more than half a million Aussies. It’s hard to imagine her trumping her 2009 tour, when she hung from ropes and performed death defying stunts – but that’s exactly what she’s done. Australia was the first country to embrace P!NK and it’s not surprising that an Aussie has been instrumental in guiding her career — from the earliest days. 60 Minutes has been given exclusive access to P!NK’s rehearsals, backstage as she prepares with the band, inside her spectacular arena shows and on tour with husband Carey, and daughter Willow. Reporter: Peter Overton Producer: Steven Burling Fighting Back The ad in the newspaper promised so much — the chance to work as a nanny aboard a luxury yacht. And many young women, in their late teens and early twenties, took the bait.
Episode 15: 2013-05-19
The Lost Pharoah Trail Blaiser Cleveland’s Evil The Lost Pharaoh In the modern history of Ancient Egypt, new world-headline-making discoveries are rare. This Sunday a Royal tomb full of golden treasure that is likely to be bigger and grander than the discovery of the famous boy king, Tutankhamen. Renowned archaeologist John Romer believes he’s found the tomb of the long lost Pharaoh, Herihor. Along with the King and his priceless relics, there could also be all of Ancient Egypt’s missing Queens. It’s an ambitious quest that takes us to a secret desert valley and could transform what we know about these exotic and remarkable people. Reporter: Tara Brown Producer: Stephen Taylor Trail Blaiser Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability among Australian children. 34 thousand people struggle through life with the crippling condition. And the little boy you’re about to meet, Blaise Wyatt, suffers from the most cruel form of this affliction.
Episode 27: 2013-08-18
Crude Solution Love Twist The Boss Crude Solution When petroleum giant BP spilled millions of litres of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico 3 years ago, it was the worst ever offshore oil disaster. To try and break up that massive slick, vast quantities of chemical dispersant was sprayed on the spill. It seemed to work: the oil disappeared. But people started getting sick and then people started dying. Now, this environmental disaster has become a health catastrophe. The dispersant, when mixed with the oil, increases in toxicity by 52 times. This sickly, invisible toxin, still lurks in the water and absorbs straight into peoples’ skin. In this special 60 Minutes investigation, we reveal the same chemical dispersants have been sprayed on the Great Barrier Reef and off the north west coast of Australia. They’re still approved for use and our authorities are clueless as to how deadly they are.