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

Latest

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.

ExclusiveHealth

An NDIS provider under a fraud investigation is being chased in court for more than $4.5 million in unpaid “referral” payments to a company who built disability support homes.

12 homes and $4.5m: SA family’s legal feud with NDIS provider

NDIS provider, Horizon SolSolutions, which is currently suspended over a fraud investigation is now facing another legal battle in South Australia.

Horse Racing

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 05: James McDonald riding Opening Address wins Race 2 the TAB Trophy during Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 05, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

‘Tough time’: Jobs cut at Racing Victoria

Racing Victoria has made sweeping job cuts as it attempts to stem losses amid a downturn, telling staff it was a “tough time”. See who it affects and what it means.

National

‘This is not a fair go’: Controversial super tax laws to hit Aussies hard

Super funds are furious, and experts argue Australians would have to dip into their own pockets, or sell assets to pay the proposed super tax on money that has not hit their bank accounts.

AFL

Inside story of an AFL umpire on the run

From race horses and Instagram-worthy cafes to luxury homes, a former AFL umpire’s secret life has been exposed as the alleged conman dodges authorities over multimillion-dollar fraud.

AFL

Arrest warrant issued for runaway AFL umpire over $8.7m fraud

A formal arrest warrant has been issued for runaway umpire Troy Pannell, after he was accused of an $8.7m fraud in Victoria. It comes as Crows legend Mark Ricciuto called on the AFL to investigate accusations of bias.

ExclusiveMelbourne Cup

Desperate VRC raids Everest rival race for Melb Cup prize money

Victoria Racing Club is seeking to strip money from a race set up to rival Sydney’s Everest to pay for the Melbourne Cup because of a cash crisis.

ExclusivePolice & Courts

Ex-AFL umpire on the run over alleged multimillion-dollar fraud

A former AFL umpire is accused of ripping off his employer to the tune of $8.7m and lawyers are concerned he could try to flee the country.

Health

NETWORK SPECIAL. NO AUS, NO NEWS.COM PLEASE CONTACT NETWORK PICTURE DESK BEFORE PUBLISHING. Stephen Cooper, a support worker who is owed more than $12,000 by Cocoon SDA

‘My kids can’t afford a bus fare for school’: Unpaid NDIS workers’ fury

Hardworking Cocoon SDA staff such as Stephen Cooper are struggling to pay their home loans, with the father-of-three unable to pay childcare fees or send his kids to school.

Health

A suspended NDIS provider could cost investors hundreds of thousands of dollars, with half of the nearly dozen homes they were encouraged to buy in the one street sitting empty.

NDIS streets of misery: Where investors’ homes are blacklisted

Investors were promised a huge return by now suspended disability provider Cocoon SDA Care. Instead, there are scores of empty NDIS houses. See where and latest advice for Aussies.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/stephen-drill/page/4