60 Minutes (Australian TV program)

== History ==
The program was founded by United States television producer [[Gerald Stone]], who was appointed its inaugural executive producer in 1979 by media tycoon [[Kerry Packer]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Idato|first=Michael|date=2020-11-05|title=60 Minutes trailblazer and legendary TV producer Gerald Stone dead|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/60-minutes-trailblazer-and-legendary-tv-producer-gerald-stone-dead-20201106-p56c1m.html|access-date=2021-09-10|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref>

Stone devised it to be an Australian version of CBS's US 60 Minute's program and it featured upon its inauguration well known reporters [[George Negus]], [[Ray Martin (television presenter)|Ray Martin]], [[Ian Leslie]]. Its prominent early programs included a 1981 interview Negus conducted with UK Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]], during which the prime minister aggressively countered his questions.<ref>{{Cite web|title='It was pretty scary' – George Negus on THAT 1981 interview with Margaret Thatcher – ABC (none) – Australian Broadcasting Corporation|url=https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/04/09/3732743.htm|access-date=2021-09-10|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref> Negus asked Thatcher why people described her as <nowiki>''</nowiki>pig-headed<nowiki>''</nowiki> and the Prime Minister demanded he tell her who, when and where such comments were made.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Marszalek|first=Jessica|date=2013-04-09|title=Pig headed qualities led to downfall|url=https://www.news.com.au/national/pig-headed-qualities-led-to-margaret-thatchers-downfall-says-george-negus/news-story/0a62254b8f037dc6c533cef53b8fd4cd|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-10|website=news|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910022237/https://www.news.com.au/national/pig-headed-qualities-led-to-margaret-thatchers-downfall-says-george-negus/news-story/0a62254b8f037dc6c533cef53b8fd4cd |archive-date=10 September 2021 }}</ref>

In 1982, [[Jana Wendt]] interviewed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and asked him why he had been so often described as a terrorist, a butcher, a gangster and a madman.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-02-22|title=Interview with a madman|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/interview-with-a-madman/news-story/6d0b246a7e06dade69b49757474eabaa|access-date=2021-09-10|website=dailytelegraph|language=en}}</ref>

In 2019, the program produced a report on the infiltration of organised crime into listed Australian casino firm [[Crown Resorts]]. It led to multiple state and federal inquiries, including the NSW Bergin Inquiry, that recommended Crown Resorts may be unfit to hold a casino licence.<ref name="abc.net.au">{{Cite web|date=2021-02-11|title='The state era is over': Crown inquiry shows national gambling regulation is needed|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-11/crown-casino-case-for-federal-government-regulation/13142294|access-date=2021-09-10|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|language=en-AU}}</ref>

[[File:Antony Blinken being interviewed by Amelia Adams of 60 Minutes Australia (F2VBL5ja4AApsUS).jpg|thumb|[[Antony Blinken]] ([[United States Secretary of State]]) being interviewed for the program in July 2023 by [[Amelia Adams]]]]

In March 2021, the Nine Network launched a one-hour, one-story, studio-based ''60 Minutes'' [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] ''Under Investigation'' presented by Liz Hayes and produced by Gareth Harvey that features a panel of guests.<ref>{{cite web |title=Under Investigation |url=https://www.nineforbrands.com.au/core-content/under-investigation/ |website=Nine Entertainment Company |access-date=27 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Under Investigation with Liz Hayes coming to Nine's premium news service |url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/under-investigation-with-liz-hayes/ |work=Mediaweek |date=16 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Idato |first1=Michael |title=Experts around the dinner table: Liz Hayes' new show aims to intrigue |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/television-is-capable-of-ripping-you-apart-says-liz-hayes-20210301-p576vp.html |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=3 March 2021}}</ref>