Conversations Encore: The fearless Kate McClymont — weathering death threats and court cases for work
Mar 3, 2026
Kate McClymont, chief investigative reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald and multiple Walkley winner, recounts exposing high-profile corruption, fraud and risky reporting. She discusses cold-calling sources, bluffing and research techniques. She tells stories of Melissa Caddick, Eddie Obeid, death threats, court battles and the toll of long investigations.
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Follow The Paper Trail Not Promises
- Financial red flags often show in corporate filings, contracts and property links rather than overt admissions.
- In the Michael Williamson case McClymont found a union-paid company with no services, union-owned property used by his son, and undisclosed architect work on his holiday home.
Prompt Victims To Involve Police When Appropriate
- Encourage victims to contact police when an allegation appears criminal and offer to introduce them.
- McClymont balances being a journalist and citizen by advising sources to go to police while protecting confidentiality.
Always Build A Timeline First
- Start a timeline at the outset of any investigation to reveal patterns and quid pro quos.
- McClymont created a 200-page timeline on Eddie Obeid that exposed donation-to-approval sequences and helped track decades of activity.
