Australia’s most decorated living soldier has lost his defamation case against the Sydney Morning Herald, the Age and the Canberra Times. A federal court judge has found that the newspapers proved in their defence that Ben Roberts-Smith murdered unarmed prisoners while serving in the Australian military in Afghanistan.Ben Doherty examines Justice Anthony Besanko’s full verdict which describes how Australia’s most decorated soldier lied to save his reputation How to listen to podcasts: everything you need to know

Three years after former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins went public with allegations her colleague had raped her in Parliament House, Australian authorities are still processing whether they were dealt with appropriately. Criminal charges against Bruce Lehrmann have been dropped and he has spoken publicly for the first time. Reporters Christopher Knaus and Nino Bucci talk to Jane Lee about what we are still learning about this case

Queensland government officials and whistleblowers have warned that a youth crime crackdown in the state has ‘demonised’ young offenders, with a record number of young people funnelled into youth detention. They have raised concerns about blunt policing tactics and brutal conditions in custody, with children locked in solitary confinement for weeks at a time. Guardian Australia’s Queensland correspondent Ben Smee speaks to a 14-year-old on the ‘serious repeat offender’ index – a police blacklist disproportionately made up Indigenous young people – about life on the frontline of the state’s youth crime crackdown

Last week an investigation into historical allegations of racism against Indigenous players at the Hawthorn football club ended with no findings and no charges against coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan. Now six complainants in the Hawks racism saga have revealed themselves in an open letter and say they will take their claims to the Human Rights Commission. Laura Murphy-Oates speaks to AFL columnist Jonathan Horn and Prof John Evans from Swinburne University of Technology, about how both sides felt let down by the investigation process and what the AFL needs to do next

When a homeless Michael Jackson impersonator died at the hands of a fellow passenger last month, it shocked the world. But what does it reveal about the city?

Australia’s most decorated living soldier has lost his defamation case against the Sydney Morning Herald, the Age and the Canberra Times. A federal court judge has found that the newspapers proved in their defence that Ben Roberts-Smith either murdered or was complicit in and responsible for the murder of unarmed civilians while serving in the Australian military in Afghanistan. Ben Doherty reports from court, sifting through the judge’s ruling and what it means for public interest journalism

People in central west New South Wales have mounting fears about their water quality after community members, including children, reported blood tests with high levels of heavy metals. Now the NSW Environment Protection Authority is investigating those concerns and the nearby Newcrest Cadia goldmine. Reporter Fleur Connick tells Jane Lee why some locals living near the mine have stopped drinking their rainwater

This week Mark McGowan resigned after six years as Western Australia’s premier. After closing the state off during the Covid pandemic, McGowan was a divisive figure nationally, but at home he won record high approval ratings which many believe helped pave the way for Anthony Albanese’s victory at the federal election. Laura Murphy-Oates speaks to Western Australian reporter Narelle Towie on his rise to national prominence and what led to his resignation.

Who will take over Rupert Murdoch’s media empire after he dies, and why does it matter?

For some people, coming off antidepressants is a real battle, and one they feel unprepared for. A growing number of advocates, patients and health experts say Australia needs to change the way we think about withdrawal. Reporter Beth Gibson speaks to Laura Murphy-Oates about why some people struggle to get off antidepressants and what’s being done in Australia to help them