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Stephen RiceSydney Bureau Chief

Stephen Rice runs The Australian’s NSW bureau and writes on a wide range of subjects. Hestarted his newspaper career at The Sydney Morning Herald before moving into television, where he became executive producer of Nine’s Sunday and Business Sunday programs. He has worked as a senior investigative producer on 60 Minutes and the Seven Network’s Sunday Night. He has law and arts degrees from the Australian National University and has twice won Walkley awards, including the award for Leadership in Journalism.

@riceyontheroad

Stephen Rice

Latest

landmark rulingNation

Bruce Lehrmann and Lisa Wilkinson outside the Federal Court in Sydney on Monday after judge Michael Lee ruled against the Liberal staffer’s defamation case. Picture: John Appleyard/Gaye Gerrard/NCA NewsWire

Rapist and a dodgy Project

Bruce Lehrmann had been attracted to Brittany Higgins for a while and, for the first time, kissed the object of his attraction passionately.

Stephen Rice and Ellie Dudley

‘Should have known better’Nation

Lisa Wilkinson arrives at The Federal Court in Sydney on Thursday, December 21, 2023. Bruce Lehrmann is suing Lisa Wilkinson and Channel 10 for defamation after The Project aired an interview with Brittany Higgins alleging rape. Picture: Nikki Short

Wilkinson criticised for ‘lack of candour’

Despite her defamation case win, the Channel 10 presenter suffered a devastating personal blow in court over her ‘concerning’ appearances in the witness box.

Stephen Rice

JudgmentPolitics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA NewsWire Photos OCTOBER 27, 2022:Brittany Higgins with her partner David Sharaz arrived at court for the trial.Bruce Lehrmann is the man accused of the sexual assault of former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins. He arrived with his lawyers at the Magistrates Court in Canberra.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Sharaz was the turning point: judge

The shadowy figure who played a weaponising role in this saga never appeared in his courtroom. But Justice Lee did not miss.

Stephen Rice

EXCLUSIVEDefence

(left-right) Commanding Officer of the 3rd Fiji Infantry Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Penioni Naliva presents a plaque to Commanding Officer of 8th/9th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel John Eccleston, during the closing ceremony of Exercise Coral Soldier at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane. *** Local Caption *** Australian Army soldiers from 8th /9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (8/9 RAR), hosted Republic of Fiji Military Forces soldiers in Brisbane on Exercise Coral Soldier from March to June 2022. The Fijian soldiers have integrated with 8/9 RAR to enhance their individual and collective soldiering skills. Exercise Coral Soldier is part of a series of exercises with the RFMF conducted under the Fiji-Australia Vuvale partnership. 'Vuvale' is the Fijian word for 'family' and it means 'my home is your home'. Drawing from this deep-seated sense of family Fiji and Australia aspire through this Vuvale partnership to a new era of elevated cooperation, consultation and friendship between our two nations. Picture - ADF

Alleged military torturer’s taxpayer-funded salary remains secret

The Albanese government is refusing to reveal how much Australians are paying an allegerd Fijian military torturer, warning the information could undermine the nation’s Pacific ties.

Ben Packham and Stephen Rice

COMMENTARYNation

Justice Michael Lee has found against Bruce Lehrmann.

Main players savaged in Lehrmann judgment … except for one

Justice Michael Lee didn’t miss Bruce Lehrmann in his judgment, and Brittany Higgins, Lisa Wilkinson and Ten have also taken brutal hits. But there was one witness entirely vindicated.

Stephen Rice

Bondi massacreNation

Bondi Junction massacre victims, clockwise from main: Dawn Singleton, Ashlee Good, Faraz Tahir, Pikria Darchia, Jade Young.

Nation’s heart breaks, women motive probed

Police searching for a motive that led Joel Cauchi on his murderous rampage will investigate whether he was targeting women, after the attack left six dead and others fighting for their lives.

Stephen Rice

EXCLUSIVEDefence

Late January 2024: Colonel Penioni (Ben) Naliva welcomed as deputy commander to the Australian Army's 7th BrigadeSource: Defence Dept

Fiji torture accused axed from Aussie army post

Fijian Colonel Penioni (Ben) Naliva has been removed as deputy commander of the Australian Army’s 7th Brigade following allegations he was involved in torturing detainees in Fiji.

Stephen Rice

COMMENTARYNation

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos DECEMBER 15, 2023: Bruce Lehrmann arrives at the Federal Court with his legal team after a lunch break during the defamation hearing of Bruce Lehrmann versus Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

One man’s voice on this day of judgment

When Justice Michael Lee delivers his verdict in the defamation case it should spell the end of the saga – but will the dreaded Lehrmann-Higgins curse claim another victim?

Stephen Rice

Lehrmann caseNation

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos NOVEMBER 30, 2023. Brittany Higgins leaves the Federal Court today after giving evidence. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Claim Higgins may have been drugged

Brittany Higgins has questioned whether she may have been drugged on the night she was allegedly raped by Bruce Lehrmann, and that she wishes the defamation case had explored this possibility.

Ellie Dudley and Stephen Rice

lehrmann vs tenNation

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NCA NewsWire Photos - Friday, 22 December, 2023:Bruce Lehrmann pictured arriving at Federal Court Sydney. Rolling coverage of Bruce Lehrmann defamation case against Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Judgment day set in Lehrmann defamation saga

Justice Michael Lee will deliver his verdict on Monday, the timing suggesting evidence produced by Taylor Auerbach has not significantly affected the judgment already largely written.

Stephen Rice and Ellie Dudley

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/stephen-rice/page/23