Our Journalists

John RolfeSenior reporter

John Rolfe focuses on white-collar crime, consumer affairs and the cost of living. He was formerly The Daily Telegraph’s national political editor and chief of staff. He is best known for his efforts on behalf of readers through the Public Defender column, for which he was recognised by News Corp Australia as the Specialist Reporter of the Year.

@publicdefender

John Rolfe

Latest

Coronavirus

Bar tender Jake Glazier (34) (R) serves his customers at an open roadside bar in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 23, 2020. - The US state of Georgia takes a massive gamble on April 24 when it allows businesses like gyms and hair salons to re-open to ease a painful coronavirus lockdown, a move even President Donald Trump fears is too soon. "It's good for my pay check, you know, I make obviously all my money here on tips and so the more people I see per day the more money I make. Thankfully I've been able to do takeout and still make a little bit of tip money, but you know, it's good to be open for me, financially," Glazier said. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)

US deaths hit 50,000, states re-open despite ‘second wave’ fears

A handful of US states are reopening for business despite fears of a “second wave” of COVID-19 as death toll hits terrifying new mark.

Coronavirus

Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media at a press conference in Canberra, Thursday, April 23, 2020. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

PM: Change for schools, new app, exercise rules coming

Scott Morrison has said new guidelines are coming on a range of restrictions in place, and Australians can expect the COVID-19 contact tracing app.

ExclusiveNSW

14/02/2017 Fortescue Metals Group chief executive Nev Power as he prepares to step down this Friday.pic Colin Murty The Australian

Getting back to business after COVID-19

A $2 billion liquid ammonia plant at Narrabri, powered by the Santos gas project, tops the proposals Nev Power’s COVID-19 Commission is backing to create a new wave of manufacturing. HAS YOUR BUSINESS BEEN AFFECTED BY COVID-19? TAKE OUR SURVEY.

ExclusiveNSW

The Virgin Australia check-in counters are all but bare at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Virgin Australia is seeking bankruptcy protection, entering voluntary administration after a debt crisis worsened by the coronavirus shutdown pushed it into insolvency. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Chinese-backed firm paid high price for Aussie check-in business

The Chinese owners of bailout-seeking airport services company Swissport expanded to Australia by paying about 150 per cent more for market leader Aerocare than it was worth just three years earlier.

Opinion

Teacher is sitting in the classroom with her primary school students, reading a story to them.

Premier, listen to the experts on kids’ return to school

Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s decision to send students back into classrooms for one day a week is not based on the advice of health experts and is inconsistent with her previous stance, writes John Rolfe

NSW

Revealed: Why households can expect energy bill discount

NSW wholesale electricity and gas prices have fallen to their lowest levels since 2016, with savings set to be passed on to consumers. Find out why.

NSW

(FILES) In this file photo taken on October 01, 2019 a picture taken on October 1, 2019 in Lille shows the logos of mobile apps Facebook and Google displayed on a tablet. - More than 100 child protection organizations February 6, 2020 urged Facebook to halt plans for strong encryption of all its platforms, saying that would allow predators to operate freely. The social network is working to extend end-to-end encryption across its messaging applications, including Facebook Messenger and Instagram. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET / AFP)

Why forcing Google, Facebook to pay protects our ‘way of life’

Australia’s competition watchdog says Google and Facebook are “making a lot of money” from Australian media companies and should be contributing to the cost of producing journalism.

AnalysisOpinion

Facebook and Google’s free ride in Australia is over

The billions of dollars tech titans like Google and Facebook strip from traditional media outlets each year has directly led to a reduction in coverage of courts, councils, health and science. The era of free-riding is at an end, writes John Rolfe.

ExclusiveNSW

Labor senator rented out beachside Airbnb in lockdown

Federal Labor senator Deborah O’Neill had paying guests staying in her oceanfront Airbnb listing during the strict coronavirus lockdown period. It comes after NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin resigned after breaching the lockdown rules.

NSW

AAP-MANLY DAILYADD ON TO NORTH HEAD RENTALS.Pictures show generic views of a row of army houses at NORth Head, Manly, taken on 3rd March 2020. The houses are some of the cheapest rentals in the area yet have million dollar views.(AAP Image / Julian Andrews).

Landlord insurance won’t cover rent reductions

Property owners and tenants face ‘huge delays’ in accessing formal mediation, industry insiders say, while it’s been confirmed landlord insurance won’t cover COVID-related rent losses.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/journalists/john-rolfe/page/68