Our Journalists

Stephen Drill covers organised crime, business and the politics of sport. His investigative podcasts include Mafia’s Web, Bikie’s Inc. and Faith On Trial. Drill was Europe correspondent for the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail and Adelaide Advertiser from 2019 to 2021. The Walkley Award winner has also worked at The Wall Street Journal in New York and The Sun in London.

@steveheraldsun

Stephen Drill

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National

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - February 19, 2025: CFMEU Indigenous organiser Joel Shackleton arrives at Melbourne Magistrates court over alleged threats to kill and threats to injur two owners of a labour hire company.Picture: NewsWire / David Geraghty

CFMEU official referred to police

A CFMEU official who allegedly “stood over and threatened” a builder will be referred to Victoria Police for investigation.

National

‘15th in world’: Warning over Aussie military spending

Amid a push for Australia to increase military spending, new data shows we rank just 15th among global defence budgets – and are dwarfed by Saudi Arabia, Poland and India.

Sport

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 14: Umpire Troy Pannell calls for the video review during the round seven AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Carlton Blues at Etihad Stadium on May 14, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Missing AFL umpire Troy Pannell’s case fast tracked

Former AFL umpire Troy Pannell’s case has been moved forward just days after he was involved in a car accident.

National

NETWORK SPECIAL. NO NEWS,COM OR AUS, PLEASE CONTACT NETWORK PICTURE DESK BEFORE PUBLISHING. , Jesse Bolt, son of Danny Bolt, posing for a photograph in front of CFMEU logos.

‘We couldn’t have done it without you’: Bikie’s shout out to CFMEU

The CFMEU has sponsored the boxing career of the son of a Hells Angels bikie while it has been under administration.

UpdatedNational

The families of six children killed in a jumping castle tragedy in Tasmania are awaiting the verdict in a major legal case.

Mother in shock after verdict in jumping castle tragedy

The families of six children killed when a jumping castle took flight in a wind gust in Tasmania, as well as those who survived, are still pleading for answers as the verdict was handed down.

BreakingAFL

Missing ex-AFL umpire a no show in court

Troy Pannell, a former AFL umpire on the run over an alleged multimillion-dollar fraud, has failed to front court.

National

NETWORK SPECIAL. MUST TALK WITH NETWORK PIC DESK BEFORE PUBLISHING. Seb Costello appearing on A Current Affair.

Controversial ACA toilet footage flushed by Supreme Court

A Current Affair has been banned from showing footage of an interview involving former reporter Seb Costello inside a women’s toilet with an employee of an embattled finance company.

ExclusiveNews

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NCA NewsWire Photos - 13 MAY 2024: Mick Gatto poses for a photograph as he departs from the State Funeral for Harold Mitchell. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

100+ NAMES: Building industry ‘blacklist’ includes bikies, gangland figures

A building industry “blacklist” of more than 100 names has emerged. Many of those on it have been linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs and the CFMEU. Unions are fuming.

EXCLUSIVETrue Crime

Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones died of Methanol poisioning in Laos. Picture: Supplied

Two new cruel twists in Aussie teen methanol poisoning probe

Two new cruel twists have emerged after Melbourne teens Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones were killed when backpacker hostel staff served them methanol-laced drinks in Laos. See the video.

National

Round 18. 20/07/2018. St Kilda v Richmond at Etihad Stadium. Umpire Troy Pannell . Pic: Michael Klein

Kangaroo excuse: Missing AFL umpire’s bizarre court no show

A former AFL umpire blamed a kangaroo for his failure to attend court to answer claims that he defrauded his employer of $8.7 million.

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