Victoria: The Suppression State

Former NSW Police Detective and Criminologist Vincent Hurley spent three decades listening to secret conversations of the state’s most dangerous criminals. He joins us to discuss ‘guns for hire’ carrying out organised crime across state lines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In December 2018, police knocked on the door of a Brisbane home. A missing persons report had been filed for Priscilla Deanna Brooten. Priscilla hadn’t been seen or heard from in more than six months, so why had it taken so long for her to be declared a missing person?In episode one, Tara Cassidy retraces the first steps of Priscilla’s disappearance, speaking to her daughter on the other side of the world who couldn’t reach her mum, and Priscilla’s  best friend who refused to stop searching for answers. As conflicting stories emerge about Priscilla’s whereabouts, Tara uncovers a series of missed opportunities, unanswered questions and a relationship that would soon become central to the investigation. When police finally knock on Priscilla’s former partner’s door, his answers only raise their suspicions. Contact us: [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six months after she vanished, police finally came looking. But by then, was it already too late?In July 2018, 46-year old Priscilla Brooten vanished in Brisbane, leaving behind an abandoned car and a trail of unanswered questions. In Season 1 of Investigate, journalist Tara Cassidy unravels the case as it evolves from a missing persons investigation into something far more complex and sinister than anyone first imagined.  Through interviews with family and friends, some who’ve never spoken publicly, Tara pulls apart competing theories and uncovers disturbing new details. Across six episodes, this series examines what happened to Priscilla, the people involved - and why 8 years on she still hasn’t been found.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we’re joined by John Silvester, legendary crime reporter with The Age. Today, we're venturing into the world of politics to look closely at the political climate in Australia, and the growing number of threats on politicians and public figures.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erin Patterson has lost the appeal she launched against her triple murder conviction in the Court of Appeal after arguing there were seven reasons why she was wrongly convicted. Patterson will now likely die in jail after her possibility of parole was abolished. Patterson's life sentence, now that it's without parole, means for the term of her natural life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Accused high country killer Gregory Lynn has lost his second bid for freedom and will remain behind bars as he awaits a retrial for the alleged murder of missing camper Carol Clay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Jetstar pilot Gregory Lynn says he is ‘the victim’ - as he makes a bid for bail ahead of a retrial next year over the alleged murder of retiree Carol Clay, who vanished while camping in Victoria's Wonnangatta Valley in 2020.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Accused and convicted criminals are using the legal system to hide their identities. Justin Quill, top media lawyer at Thomsons, takes us inside the world of suppression orders and how Victoria became the 'suppression state'. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mushroom murder trial captured attention all over the world, but unlike most cases, people began travelling to court to see it for themselves. In this episode we’re joined by Tammy Egglestone, who’d never attended court and then spent months in Morwell watching this case unfold.  Erin Patterson has appealed against her convictions by a Supreme Court jury, maintains her innocence, and prosecutors have also appealed for a harsher sentence. The Victorian Court of Appeal has yet to hand down its decision in both appeals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the jury deliberated in Erin Patterson’s mushroom murder trial, they were staying in the same hotel as police and the media. So what actually happened during the accommodation cross over? Senior reporter at The Age, Chris Vedelago, joins Penny and Erin to unpack it all.  Erin Patterson has appealed against her convictions by a Supreme Court jury, maintains her innocence, and prosecutors have also appealed for a harsher sentence. The Victorian court of appeal has yet to hand down its decision in both appeals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.