Here is what in store on 60 Minutes this week.
The Survivor
By now, most people know the incredible story of Australian woman, Gill Hicks. In 2005, both of her legs were blown off, during the terrorist attacks on London. Since that horrible day Gill has inspired the world with her superhuman recovery, her work to promote peace and her love of life. Late last year she called us with wonderful news, she’d moved back to Australia; she’d found a new man and at 44 she’d fallen pregnant. But Gill had devastating news to come that would require all of her inner strength.
Reporter: Tara Brown
Producer: Stephen Taylor
Independents’ Day
When Prime Minister Julia Gillard isn’t fending off Kevin Rudd in the party room her fate rests with 3 independent MPs, who hold unprecedented power. Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott and Bob Katter may represent just 290-thousand voters, but what they think, and how they vote in parliament, has a very real impact on every Australian. In 2010, Windsor and Oakeshott deliberated for 17 days before backing the Gillard government, in return for 10 billion dollars in regional funding. Katter – ever the maverick – went his own way. It’s been an interesting experiment in minority government, and come election day, their constituents will decide whether it’s been a success.
Reporter: Karl Stefanovic
Producer: Ali Smith
Loss of Faith
It’s been a momentous few weeks for Catholics with the election of Pope Francis. The new Pontiff faces a huge challenge – not least in rebuilding the shattered trust over wide-spread sexual assault of children by Catholic priests. In Australia, 60 Minutes was one of the first to expose the church’s conspiracy of silence in the case of convicted paedophile Father Gerald Ridsdale. In 2002, Richard Carleton confronted then Archbishop George Pell with distressing evidence of Ridsdale’s abuse. 11 years on, as we await the start of a Royal Commission into child abuse within religious institutions, Ridsdale is eligible for parole in June. On Sunday night, we revisit Richard Carleton’s story and the many questions that remain unanswered.
Reporter: Richard Carleton
Producers: Lincoln Howes, John McAvoy
7:30pm Sunday on Nine.
source 9