The Conversation Hour

What does it take to investigate powerful people and institutions - and what does that work cost the journalist? In this special extended interview, Bridie O’Donnell speaks with award-winning investigative journalist Nick McKenzie about his career and his new book Building Bad, co-written with Ben Schneiders. They discuss McKenzie's reporting on allegations of corruption and links to organised crime within Victoria's CFMEU, Australia’s most powerful construction union, and the scrutiny that led to a royal commission. 

Exploring the issues that affect all Victorians.

Exploring the issues that affect all Victorians.

Olympic gold medallist and Mum of 5 Libby Trickett, on why kids shouldn't specialise in sport. One year on from aged care reforms, Professor Hal Swerissen assesses what was promised and what has been delivered. And Retail Historian Prof. Mathew Bailey on the uncertain future of heritage retail giant David Jones.

As Victoria’s election campaign gets underway, pollster Kos Samaras explains what the polls can, and can’t, tell us. Behavioural ecologist Professor Darryl Jones explores whether swooping magpies remember us, after one bird targeted the same boy for six years. Plus, ABC correspondent Elias Clure joins us from Washington DC as voting begins in the US midterm elections.