After five years, one aborted criminal trial and millions of dollars in legal fees, Justice Michael Lee handed down his judgment in the defamation case that Bruce Lehrmann brought against Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson.

Justice Lee found that Bruce Lehrmann had raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House, and dismissed Lehrmann’s defamation claim.

The judgment, which was delayed at the 11th hour, was delivered in great, and at times colourful, detail.

The decision does not amount to a finding of criminal guilt. Lehrmann’s criminal trial was aborted in October 2022 due to juror misconduct and the charges were later dropped altogether owing to concerns about Higgins’ mental health.

Today, legal affairs reporter Michaela Whitbourn on the extraordinary findings from an at-times squalid and politically and socially charged case, and what it means for everyone involved.

And, a warning for listeners, this episode contains repeated descriptions of sexual assault.

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When news broke last week that one of the most powerful people at Seven Network allegedly tried to cover up an internal fraud investigation, the network suffered reputational fallout.

It’s just the latest scandal that has exposed the misogynistic, bullying and get-a-story-at-any-cost culture that has seemingly been thriving in pockets of the media company. Because, later today, a judgment is expected to be handed down in the multi-million dollar Bruce Lehrmann defamation case, which has also embroiled Seven in scandal.

But to see the issue as a problem suffered by one media organisation is to miss the point, according to investigative journalist Nick McKenzie, who broke this latest story.

Today, McKenzie, talks about what happens when journalists - the very people who are tasked with holding the powerful to account - allegedly engage in unethical behaviour.

And just a heads-up, this episode mentions sexual assault, self-harm and suicide.

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Australians across the country were shocked on Saturday, when a man brandishing a long knife stalked through a shopping centre in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.

What resulted was horrific. At the time of recording, six people have been killed, including two mothers. A dozen other victims have been taken to hospital with stab wounds. The attacker was shot dead by police.

Today, chief reporter Jordan Baker on a mass murder that took place in a location that many people - especially mothers of small children - often use as a refuge, from boredom, and the heat. And the shock and sadness that the whole country is feeling.

And just a reminder, this episode contains confronting descriptions of violence.

If you find anything in this episode distressing, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. 

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Six months after the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas began, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has signalled a shift in Australia’s position on the question of Palestinian statehood.

Wong said that recognising Palestinian statehood, without waiting for years of peace talks with Israel, could improve the chances for peace and build momentum towards a two-state agreement.

The Federal Government’s position has been met with fierce backlash from pro-Israel groups and the Opposition, who say that would reward Hamas for its October 7 terror attacks.

Plus the Government's plan to strengthen merger laws and help more businesses make products in Australia as it gears up for its May 14 budget.

Today, foreign affairs correspondent Matthew Knott, chief political correspondent David Crowe and economics correspondent Shane Wright join Jacqueline Maley to discuss.Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.

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For more than 75 years, Japan has had, at the centre of its constitution, a very particular promise.

The country renounces war as a sovereign right. Forever. This means the country is forbidden from maintaining an army, navy or air force - and from using force as a means of settling international disputes.

This so-called “peace constitution” was an instrumental part of Japan rising from the ashes of World War II, and the destruction that it both suffered, and meted out.

But now, Japan is dramatically beefing up its military.

Today, International and political editor Peter Hartcher on why Japan is arguably breaching its own constitution. And what it might mean for the global order.

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For at least a year, we’ve been hearing allegations that our biggest supermarkets have been rorting us - paying the farmers who provide them with produce too little. And charging consumers way too much. As the stores themselves rake in tens of billions dollars each year, amid an ongoing cost of living crisis.

The end result has been enraged consumers. And fiery political outbursts that have spilled over in senate inquiries in which politicians have grilled supermarket CEOs. 

And now, a new review by the government has recommended that supermarkets be fined, potentially billions of dollars, if they breach a renewed code of conduct that has been proposed. 

Today, national affairs editor James Massola on the political fight that’s led to this review. And whether it might finally result in lower prices at the checkout.

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For decades, these chemicals were miracle ingredients for 3M, a company that has made billions from the products that used them such as Scotchguard and Teflon pans.

Nicknamed “forever chemicals”, they repel everything from grease, to water and stains - and are found in everyday items like frying pans, household cleaning products, and even school uniforms.

Now 3M is at risk of bankruptcy, with allegations that the company deliberately deceived the public from being aware of the serious risks posed by forever chemicals, with a growing body of science linking these chemicals to adverse health outcomes, including cancer.

Today, investigative reporter Carrie Fellner on the factory that contaminated the whole world - including many Australian communities.

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When Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election against Hilary Clinton it wasn’t just his grabbing the top spot in the White House that shocked Americans.

So, too, did allegations by intelligence agencies that Russian President Vladimir Putin directly ordered a campaign to interfere with the election. 

This would play out on social media via troll factories, with fake profiles befriending real people to spread Kremlin propaganda. 

And now, only seven months out from the next American election with Donald Trump ramping-up his campaign against Joe Biden, interference like this is happening again.

Today, digital foreign editor Chris Zappone on the new tactics being used by Russian operatives, to disrupt democracy.

Zappone's podcast, Dark Shining Moment, can be found here.

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This week, national affairs editor James Massola and political correspondent Paul Sakkal join Jacqueline Maley to look at how the Albanese government is going ahead of the next election, likely to take place next year, after an interesting few months of political ups and downs.

They also to examine the ups and downs of political behaviour, after leaked documents revealed potential punishments for MPs and senators who are found to breach parliamentary standards.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.

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Later today, we were meant to be hearing Justice Michael Lee’s judgment, in the multi-million dollar defamation case that Bruce Lehrmann has brought against Network 10.

But then, in a surprise turn of events on Tuesday evening, lawyers for Network 10 made an eleventh-hour bid for Justice Lee to re-open its defence, and admit new evidence.

This is just the latest twist in a case that has its origins more than five years ago, when former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins alleges that Lehrmann raped her in an office in parliament house. Bruce Lehrmann has always strenuously denied the allegations.

Today, legal affairs reporter Michaela Whitbourn on the explosive new evidence, and why it might be key to Justice Lee’s decision.

And just a heads-up, this episode contains references to allegations of sexual assault.

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