Outbreak
This episode of Four Corners, reported by Linton Besser and presented by Michael Brissenden, investigates some of the worst biosecurity breaches in Australian history, uncovering sophisticated smuggling operations, inadequate enforcement and corruption.
"The department has a problem. There is a vast number of containers coming in…They're struggling to maintain the barrier." Investigator
Last year a devastating exotic disease wiped out much of Queensland's prawn industry, threatening a lucrative trade based on our "clean" reputation and undermining faith in Australia's supposedly fortress-like borders.
"It's the canary in the coal mine… there are some problems with our border security that obviously need to be addressed to make sure this doesn't happen again." Scientist
Official inquiries narrowed in on contaminated seafood illegally imported from Asia.
"These are low-grade prawns, you don't want them inspected by anybody. They probably glow in the dark." Biosecurity official
Now a Four Corners investigation will reveal how Australia's biosecurity measures were defeated by sophisticated smugglers.
"A substantial number…were deliberately and cold-bloodedly gaming the department. The profits to be made from getting a container past the department were huge." Investigator
The program pieces together the dramatic fight to contain the outbreak and uncover the cause.
"I'll never forget that day because I was out in my boat in the morning just working on reefs and I got this phone call saying, ‘Can you keep a secret?'" Marine scientist
Insiders talk about the cut-throat nature of the industry and the huge profits to be made by those breaking the law.
"We had to choose whether we were going to follow their lead, or we were going to say no and act properly." Importer
Investigators warn that Australia's biosecurity regime can be easily exploited.
"Would you put a burglar in charge of a bank? That's what self-regulation is about. There is no incentive for an importer to do the right thing." Investigator
The concern goes well beyond the seafood industry, with the program set to detail another significant breach that threatened a multi-billion-dollar industry.
"It was like a rotten onion. We were peeling away a layer to find a more rotten layer underneath. So, everywhere we turned, everywhere we looked things were getting worse." Executive
Trailer
Recently Updated Shows
Reacher
Reacher follows Jack Reacher, a veteran military police investigator who has just recently entered civilian life. Reacher is a drifter, carrying no phone and the barest of essentials as he travels the country and explores the nation he once served. When Reacher arrives in the small town of Margrave, Georgia, he finds a community grappling with its first homicide in 20 years. The cops immediately arrest him and eyewitnesses claim to place Reacher at the scene of the crime. While he works to prove his innocence, a deep-seated conspiracy begins to emerge, one that will require Reacher's keen mind and hard-hitting fists to deal with. One thing above all is for sure: They picked the wrong guy to take the fall.
The Rookie
The Rookie is inspired by a true story. John Nolan is the oldest rookie in the LAPD. At an age where most are at the peak of their career, Nolan cast aside his comfortable, small town life and moved to L.A. to pursue his dream of being a cop. Now, surrounded by rookies twenty years his junior, Nolan must navigate the dangerous, humorous and unpredictable world of a "young" cop, determined to make his second shot at life count.
Silo
In a ruined and toxic future, thousands live in a giant silo deep underground. After its sheriff breaks a cardinal rule and residents die mysteriously, engineer Juliette starts to uncover shocking secrets and the truth about the silo.
