60 Minutes S2024E08 - Power in Paradise, Intensive Care, Crown and Out

On 60 Minutes Adam Hegarty continues his royal family reports with more "Crown and Out" scrutiny, while Nick McKenzie reports on Chinese influence in Fiji.

Power in Paradise
When China's powerful foreign minister Wang Yi met his Australian counterpart Penny Wong a few days ago, the pair, albeit awkwardly, smiled and shook hands for the cameras. But behind closed doors there's no doubt the atmosphere would have been much less cordial. Both nations have plenty of differences to work through, including the ongoing battle for influence in the Pacific. While Canberra takes a more softly-softly approach to our near neighbours, that's not Beijing's way of doing business. In a joint investigation by 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Nick McKenzie reveals some of the downright dirty tactics China uses to assert its dominance over tiny nations like Fiji.
Reporter: Nick McKenzie
Producer: Amelia Ballinger

Intensive Care
The weather is spectacular and the swimming pool is always inviting. The rooms have all the mod-cons and the food is great. At the Vivo Bene resort in northern Thailand, pampering is the priority. But while the intensive care is very deliberate, this is no ordinary holiday paradise. That's because the guests are elderly and most have dementia. Unlike other aged-care providers though, the world-renowned treatment at Vivo Bene is not dominated by medication. Instead, it includes love, laughter, and giving vulnerable humans the time – and respect – they deserve. For reporter Dimity Clancey, providing the best care possible for dementia patients is a cause close to her heart. Her mother, Lorraine, has battled the disease for more than a decade and currently lives in an aged-care home in Sydney. In this special report for 60 Minutes, Clancey asks why can't there be facilities like Vivo Bene in Australia?
Reporter: Dimity Clancey
Producer: Natalie Clancy

Crown and Out
Just when it seemed it couldn't get any worse for the Royal Family, it did. This time last week the palace was attempting but failing to mop up the scandal of Princess Catherine's photoshopping blunder, while at the same time trying to deflect attention away from the fact the star royal hadn't been seen in public for so long. This week things appeared to be brighter when Kate and Prince William were filmed, looking quite happy, at their local shops. But then there was more drama after it was reported that attempts had been made to access the Princess of Wales' hospital records. As Adam Hegarty reports, speculation about the Royal family is now so rife, it's ridiculous.
Reporter: Adam Hegarty
Producers: Garry McNab, Sheree Gibson