Season 1997

E1. The End of the Western World. Part 1

Jun 1, 1997 · 60m

Summer Series: Ex BBC The Big Picture. First in a two part series featuring the insights of British economist, Martin Jacques. He is intrigued by what he predicts to be the inevitable economic ascendancy of Asia over Europe and America, the shift in the balance of power from the west to the east.

E2. The End of the Western World. Part 2.

60m

Summer Series: Ex BBC The Big Picture. Part 2 in the series by British economist, Martin Jacques. This program focuses on two of the Asian tigers, Malaysia and Taiwan. Martin Jacques examines their approach to broad social issues such as welfare, education and the role of the family.

E3. Empire of the Sons and Daughters

60m

Summer Series: Ex BBC Assignment. BBC reporter, Ben Brown investigates the huge wealth of the children of President Suharto of Indonesia. As President Suharto nears the end of his time as President, there is increasing unrest in the country. There is growing resentment at the accumulation of wealth by the sons and daughters of the President - the family's business fortunes are estimated at more than 40 billion dollars.

E4. Branded: Nike

60m

Summer Series: Ex BBC & Elgin Productions. A profile of Nike, in which the BBC closely examines the corporate strategies that lie behind the brand name. The genius at the helm is Phil Knight, one of the first global entrepreneurs to exploit the low cost labour markets in SE Asia. This is the story of Nike.

E5. Branded: Heinz

60m

Summer Series: Ex BBC & Elgin Productions. The second of a BBC series exploring the corporate strategies that lie behind the rise of global brands. This program looks at Heinz whose market share is under threat and goes into the trenches with chairman of Heinz, Tony O'Reilly as he fights off competition from cheaper baked beans.

E6. The Wik, The Law, The Land

60m

By Murray McLaughlin. This program examines the ground-breaking reading of history which was crucial to the high court's judgement which allowed for Aboriginal title to co-exist with pastoral leasehold. Not since first settlement has there been a decision with such a major impact on land tenure in this country. This report asks if there can be a peaceful resolution and features one pastoral group who may have the answer.

E7. Courting Disaster

60m

By David Hardaker. The suicide of Justice David Yeldham after his secret life had been revealed scandalised the judiciary. There is evidence that the highest judicial officers in the state were made aware of his behaviour in the late 1980s but failed to take effective action. His practices, in the eyes of Sir Laurence Street, the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, made him unfit to hold his office.

E8. Hard Labor

60m

By Margot O'Neill. This program examines where the Labor Party is now, 12 months after its humiliating defeat. Margot O'Neill speaks with Party leaders, grass root members and voters and finds a confusion in the leadership and a Party that's been in retreat. She notes that Kim Beazley is now centre stage and asks has he got what it takes to rebuild a shattered Party? Can Labor find a way out of political limbo?

E9. The Copper Ring

60m

By Michael Robinson. Ex BBC Panorama. This program investigates one of the biggest financial scandals ever. One company lost 2600 million dollars. One man, Yasuo Hamanaka, is supposedly responsible. The program reveals new evidence of British involvement in Hamanaka's attempt to rig the world copper market under the noses of the British regulators. A six month investigation by the BBC tells a story of collusion, forgery and of dubious dealings worth millions of dollars.

E10. Banks Behaving Badly

Mar 10, 1997 · 60m

By Andrew Fowler. This program reveals why the banking industry has lost our trust and how some banks bend the rules and break the law. We reveal a bonus system which rewards bank officials for forcing businesses to the wall. Bank malpractices are revealed and the devastating effect that these have on the lives and businesses that are affected by them.

E11. Megan's Law

60m

Ex BBC Inside Story. This program examines the emotional response led by Maureen Kanka, which has lead to state and federal laws being adopted after the rape and murder of Maureen's seven-year-old daughter, Megan. The law requires that communities be notified of the name and address of any convicted sex offender - for life. The question is also raised - what of the clash between a community's right to know and the right of an offender to start a new life after paying his debt to society.

E12. Where Does the Buck Stop?

60m

By Liz Jackson. This program pieces together the final moments leading up to the Australian Army's worst peace time disaster, the Blackhawk tragedy on June 12, 1996. We hear stories of under-training, lack of resources and extreme stress. The findings of the Army's inquiry are reviewed and questions whether the disciplining of five officers addresses all the problems. Survivors of the disaster also tell their stories.

E13. Packer's Power

Apr 7, 1997 · 60m

By Sally Neighbour. This report pieces together Kerry Packer's style of doing business and reveals how key political figures have served Packer's interests. It took Packer three years and 340 million dollars to gain control of the Sydney Casino and another long-held goal, owning the Fairfax Newspaper Group, is almost within reach. The program asks whose interests are being served and how much power should one man have

E14. Predators

Apr 14, 1997 · 60m

By Tom Mangold. Ex BBC Panorama. This program gives an insight into the minds of dangerous men, psychopaths who have been imprisoned for committing terrible crimes. In 1991, a small number of these top security prisoners volunteered for psychotherapy with a prison psychiatrist and agreed to allow him to video-tape the actual treatment. The psychiatrist Dr Bob Johnson was convinced that he could break the mould and treat and cure these men. This program asks what is to be done with these men?

E15. Violent Women

Apr 21, 1997 · 60m

By Su Pennington. Ex BBC Panorama. This program examines the increasing numbers of women involved in violent crimes. Statistics show that within 20 years, the number of women who commit violent crimes may equal those committed by men. Su Pennington talks to women who have become involved with violent crimes and also to their victims. This program investigates why women have moved from their traditional roles of victims (and sometimes accessories to violent crime) to being active, sometimes brutal, participants.

E16. Public Safety Private Profit

Apr 28, 1997 · 60m

By David Hardaker. This program investigates the privatisation by the Kennett Government of the dispatch system for Victoria's emergency services. Intergraph, a company with ambitious plans for Australia, won the contract, but as reporter David Hardaker reports due process was ignored. From the beginning, the Intergraph privatisation has been a shambles. It is the core of emergency services, but sometimes the system doesn't work.

E17. The Dying Game

May 5, 1997 · 60m

By Murray McLaughlin. In this program, 4C's charts the last weeks of the life of Ester Wild and the dilemma faced by her doctor, Philip Nitschke, who had been treating her for cancer. Esther has chosen to die using the Northern Territory's "Right to Die" legislation, but her wish was denied when the Senate finally overturned the legislation. Esther's only option was palliative care and the program asks if this is really a form of disguised euthanasia.

E18. The Block

May 12, 1997 · 60m

By Liz Jackson. Four Corners visits the most notorious block of houses in Australia and witnesses how what was once a dream for Aboriginal self-determination turned into a ghetto. The first land grant to Aborigines has become known to the locals as The Block. Reporter Liz Jackson found an intractable problem on the city fringe, which is meeting the irrepressible force of the Olympics deadline ... and the people are under pressure to move.

E19. The Blair Project

May 19, 1997 · 60m

By Callum MacRae. Ex BBC Dispatches: This report from Dispatches follows the last six months of Labor's election campaign in Britain which saw the rise of Tony Blair. He's campaigned to his Party's majority - the biggest seen this century. The program looks into Tony Blair's family history, interviews mentors who have helped along the way and follows him on the election trail.

E20. Stress Excess

May 26, 1997 · 60m

By Margot O'Neill. This program examines the flood of people who are being diagnosed with PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Vietnam War Veterans were the first to be diagnosed and now the condition is being recognised in people in a wider range of conditions and circumstances. Beverley Raphael targets the rapidly developing "trauma industry" and suggests it may even be harmful. The Victorian Government has legislated against victims of crime being compensated for pain and suffering.

E21. The Secret Tax War

60m

By Chris Masters. Chris Masters investigates the tax issue of the '90s. Some of the world's biggest companies have come under audit over transfer pricing. The issue has pitched companies and countries into combat - into a tax war that is being fought in utter secrecy. Chris Masters investigates how it works and reveals a range of companies engaged in this war. Vast amounts are at stake and the general public are not told the outcome of the battles.

E22. Terror Network

60m

By Jane Corbin. Ex BBC Panorama. Jane Corbin reports on assassination squads, who for over a decade have operated in Europe. Over 46 people have been gunned down in that time and the state of Iran stands accused of their murder. This report uncovers the Iranian terror network and reveals that, despite the fact that evidence points to Iran's connection, Western Governments are unwilling to jeopardise lucrative trade with that country.

E23. The New Believers

60m

By Murray McLaughlin. This program is about Pauline Hanson, a former seller of fish 'n' chips and a woman whose politics have divided Australia. Four Corners tests the mood of discontent that Pauline Hanson has tapped into, enabling her in one year to move from the fringes of politics to centre stage. As a voice for those who have been marginalised and alienated, Pauline Hanson is now questioning the political and social basis which has underpinned Australia for the last 20 years.

E24. Secrets and Lies

60m

By Sally Neighbour. This is the first of a two part special made with Britain's Channel 4 and reveals the secrets and lies behind the handover of Hong Kong. When the British and Chinese Governments agreed 13 years ago on this handover, Britain promised the people of Hong Kong a parting gift, democracy and the Chines promised that Hong Kong's way of life would be kept in tact for 50 years. The history of how these promises were made and broken are the subject of this program.

E25. Business as Usual

60m

By Sally Neighbour. This program is the second in a 2-part special on Hong Kong and goes to air on the eve of the handover by the British to the Chinese. The lead up to the handover ceremony has been accompanied by bullish optimism and celebratory hoopla, but there is a deep suspicion that the corporate culture of mainland China will signal a turn of fortune for Hong Kong. On the eve of the handover, the voices of protest are being shouted down.

E26. Lack of Intelligence

60m

By Andrew Fowler. PNG's Prime Minister, Sir Julius Chan came to power with the promise too end the civil war in Bougainville, but his decision to use mercenaries to fight the war created a constitutional crisis in PNG, sent shock waves throughout the region and caused Australia to face one of its biggest diplomatic and security problems when 40 mercenaries entered PNG and the Australian Government knew nothing about it. This program raises serious questions about the Sandline affair

E27. The New Homeland

60m

By Chris Masters. Chris Masters reports that violence from South Africa's past is now threatening its future. Since the end of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela as President, eight and a half thousand South Africans have fled, many to Australia. In this program, we make two journeys. The first to South Africa to see what freedom has delivered and the second to Australia, the most popular destination for exiles.

E28. Nazi Gold

60m

Ex BBC Inside Story. This report, an international co-production coordinated by the BBC's Inside Story, investigates the truth behind Switzerland's role during WWII and in particular the action of the Swiss banks. Before the war, many Jewish families deposited their money in Swiss banks. The banks, knowing that most Jewish customers had dies in the holocaust, stole the money. Now, survivors are wanting their money back and are suing the Swiss banks for $20 billion. There are also claims that Nazi death trains were allowed through Switzerland

E29. Cabramatta

60m

By David Hardaker. This report on Cabramatta, known as the heroin capital of Australia, is the result of a three month investigation. The program offers an insight into the activities of the Vietnamese street gangs and how death and violence are now a way of life and the business of heroin rules the streets. Governments are struggling to cope with the heroin epidemic but it seems that the police are losing the war. Links with the 5T gang and the murder of John Newman three years ago are also investigated.

E30. The Cult

Aug 11, 1997 · 60m

Ex BBC Inside Story: This program takes us inside the Heaven's Gate cult 39 members of which committed suicide earlier this year in the belief that they would pick up a space ship travelling in the wake of the Hale-Bopp comet and ride into "the level above human". The beliefs of the cult, their increasingly bizarre practices and their devotion to their charismatic leader are investigated. Farewell tapes of cult members are shown and there are interviews with their families and former cult members.