Background Briefing

Undercover cop Mark Kennedy was unmasked by his activist girlfriend after years infiltrating environmental groups in Britain and Europe. Now other women are suing British police claiming they were tricked into long standing relationships with undercover officers. How far should undercover police officers go to gather intelligence? Jane Deith investigates.

Australia has some of the strongest laws in the world to tackle wildlife crime, yet the trade in native and exotic birds continues virtually unchecked. Two high profile attempts to prosecute the smugglers have failed. Why? Hagar Cohen investigates.

For years the greyhound industry has accepted the routine killing of injured and failed racing dogs. A leading official reveals thousands are killed each year in NSW alone, and says the practice is out of step with community values. Timothy McDonald investigates the often brief life of a racing dog.

Brazilian student Roberto Laudisio Curti died after being chased, pinned down and tasered repeatedly by NSW police officers. The police say the use of force was reasonable but evidence at the inquest into his death said it was ‘unreasonable’, ‘excessive’ and an ‘act of thuggery’. Did the police shoot first and ask questions later? Wendy Carlisle investigates.

Brazilian student Roberto Laudisio Curti died after being chased, pinned down and tasered repeatedly by NSW police officers. The police say the use of force was reasonable but evidence at the inquest into his death said it was ‘unreasonable’, ‘excessive’ and an ‘act of thuggery’. Did the police shoot first and ask questions later? Wendy Carlisle investigates.

A fatal fire in a Sydney high rise apartment building has exposed widespread failures in fire safety compliance. For residents of Australia’s tallest apartment building it is a burning issue. Stan Correy investigates.

ASIO and law enforcement agencies say technology is undermining their capabilities. They want new powers, including access to two years of our phone and internet data. Is the intrusion justified? Di Martin investigates.

Logging companies in PNG are using special agricultural leases to clear vast tracts of rainforest timber, on the promise of roads and economic development for remote villages. Jemima Garrett investigates.