Why the Teacher’s Pet podcast proves true-crime entertainment has its place – Sydney Morning Herald

An episode titled “The Hate Police” investigates the alleged role of the NSW Police in the 1980s-1990s bashings and murders of gay men by Sydney gangs.

“Sometimes the police don’t want to be involved [in the series],” says Hayes. “To be fair to them, if cases are still active, that obviously poses a problem for them to come to the table. [Former NSW Police Commissioner] Mick Fuller came to the table when we were talking about [murdered police corruption whistleblower] Sallie-Anne Huckstepp. But you’re pushing into their territory.

“It’s much better to be able to work with the police, for them to be able to know where we might go, which might help even more. Sometimes we’re able to do that and sometimes we’re not. With the gay bashings story, of course that’s a really sensitive story.”

While the program is yet to investigate Indigenous deaths in custody, Hayes says the subject is being considered.

“There are some difficulties on a lot of fronts, just in terms of [cultural] sensitivities,” she says. “And it’s Australia-wide. That’s why it should be addressed, not just by us but, by a lot of people. I think you’ll find, statistically, there are a lot more people who are Indigenous who die in custody than anyone else. Something’s very wrong. Being a commercial network should not prohibit us from doing stories that are important.”

Under Investigation with Liz Hayes returns on Monday, 8.45pm, on Nine.

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