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Michael Bachelard | The Sydney Morning Herald

Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) •
October 22, 2026 • 08:00 AM
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Michael Bachelard is a senior writer and former deputy editor and investigations editor of The Age. He has worked in Canberra, Melbourne and Jakarta, has written two books and won multiple awards for journalism, including the Gold Walkley.

Michael Bachelard | The Sydney Morning Herald

Launching an activewear brand to help fund his legal defence, the decorated soldier has embarked on a media offensive.

Host Ben Fordham put many questions to Ben Roberts-Smith during an interview on radio 2GB, but he did not challenge any of the answers. Here are some of the facts.

Ben Roberts-Smith will give his first interview after he was charged with five counts of war crime - murder in April. Follow our live coverage.

Anyone who understands the secretive church knows this kind of activity is approved at the very top.

The son of the Exclusive Brethren’s world leader admitted meeting with far-right agitators and belonging to secret chats where neo-Nazi associates and Brethren elders plotted an “election influence” campaign.

The world leader of the Exclusive Brethren is being grilled today about the sect’s covert campaign for the Liberals at the last election, including paying neo-Nazi associates to ambush MPs.

From confidentiality agreements for participating in church services to keeping the public in the dark, the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church leader is not keen on scrutiny.

The secretive church’s leader Bruce Hales faces a high-stakes showdown with a parliamentary committee on Friday.

The high-profile group, once headed by slain activist Charlie Kirk, has urged the US government to lobby Australia for a parliamentary inquiry into the 2025 election.

Yusuf Zahab, 23, will not be prosecuted because he was a minor during the conflict, two sources said.

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Michael Bachelard | The Age

Michael Bachelard | The Age

Michael Bachelard is a senior writer and former deputy editor and investigations editor of The Age. He has worked in Canberra, Melbourne and Jakarta, has written two books and won multiple awards for journalism, including the Gold Walkley.

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