Background Briefing

An aggressive mosquito that’s spread a crippling virus through Asia is now being found at Australia’s border. The chikungunya virus is already being brought home by Australian tourists, and public health authorities are worried about a major outbreak if the mosquito, known as the ‘barbecue stopper’, becomes established. Ian Townsend investigates. Originally broadcast on 21 July 2013.

Australian businessmen Matthew Joyce and Marcus Lee have now been freed after a nightmare four-year battle over corruption charges in Dubai. Background Briefing's Wendy Carlisle reported how the Gold Coast developer Sunland Group tried and then failed to frame the pair in the Dubai and Australian courts.

Originally broadcast on 13 October 2013.

It is the institution in which the vast majority of child sexual abuse occurs but the victims won’t be able to tell their stories at the upcoming royal commission. Children who are sexually abused by family members suffer the ultimate betrayal of trust, with nowhere else to go and no-one else to turn to. Sarah Dingle investigates their long search for justice. Originally broadcast on 11 August 2013.

Australian GPs reveal why they are risking their reputations by diagnosing patients with Lyme disease—from Borrelia bacteria that are not even supposed to be in Australia. The treatment, high-dose antibiotics, is alarming health authorities and the nation’s chief medical officer has formed an advisory committee to look into this controversial disease. Di Martin investigates. Originally broadcast 12 May 2013.

As the competition watchdog looks into new allegations of the abuse of market power by Coles and Woolworths, food suppliers speak out about what they say is predatory behaviour, even blackmailing by the ‘big two’. Hagar Cohen investigates. Originally broadcast on 24 March 2013.

More than a thousand asylum seekers have died trying to get to Australia by boat. But how many of them could have been saved? Australia’s search and rescue authorities stand accused of unnecessary delays, disregarding distress calls and passing responsibility to Indonesia, which is not equipped to carry out rescue operations. Jess Hill investigates. Originally broadcast on 1 September 2013.

A class action in the Supreme Court will look at whether NSW police wrongfully arrested and detained a number of teens due to a long standing glitch in the NSW Police computer system. Wendy Carlisle investigates.

Two of Australia’s world heritage wonders—the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics—are at risk of being declared ‘in danger’. Both are threatened by climate and development pressures and as Sarah Dingle discovers, the Wet Tropics is suffering from years of government neglect.

When are we too old to drive safely? Ann Arnold looks at the evidence for compulsory testing and the social impact of forcing older drivers off the road.