Derryn Hinch

Melbourne

Journalist 60 years. Elected Senator 2016-19. Jail 1987. Fifty days jail contempt 2014. House Arrest (5 mths) 2011. Liver transplant 2011.

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Articles

Derryn Hinch: From ashtrays to action on illegal vapes

3 weeks ago | thebigsmoke.com.au | Derryn Hinch

It’s heartening to see Queensland cracking down on illegal tobacco, and those targeting kids with vapes. Let’s hope others follow their lead. There have been some dramatic changes in smoking habits in Australia the last few years. Not just because of the relentless tax hikes or those tobacco turf wars in Melbourne. The truth is, not many people smoke anymore, as we know better. I’m not a smoker, but I don’t know a single person who pays full price for cigarettes. Sixty dollars a pack?
Derryn Hinch on Election ‘25: Landslides, lies, and Liberal wipeout

1 month ago | thebigsmoke.com.au | Derryn Hinch

Saturday’s election victory was a landslide in more ways than one, and if they can keep it together, Labor could be in power for another ten years. Well, so much for all the anti-Albo gossip on social media in the lead-up to Election ‘25. It was a Labor walkover. And would-be PM, Peter Dutton not only lost the election, he did a John Howard and lost his own seat.
Anti-ageing in life and on screen: The “work” isn’t working

2 months ago | thebigsmoke.com.au | Derryn Hinch |Deb Turney

In the same way that we beat diet culture and the “anti-fat” movement, I hope that we can start to tackle the “anti-ageing” discussions and start celebrating the passing of time, for those lucky enough to have it. Watching Season 3 of The White Lotus, the second thing I noticed (after Aimee Lou Wood’s perfectly imperfect teeth) were the foreheads of those three “best friends”. I’m ashamed to admit it but my female gaze had them under a microscope from the moment they came on screen.
Derryn Hinch: Media censorship, and the death of print newspapers

Mar 26, 2025 | thebigsmoke.com.au | Derryn Hinch |Alex Vickery-Howe |Loretta Barnard

As the former editor of The Sun, I find any form of media censorship intolerable. Imagine if the Bezos Creed catches on over here. To put this piece about media censorship into perspective, Ineeded to go back more than 100 years. Back in 1921, the esteemed editor of the (Manchester) Guardian C.P. Scott, said: “the voice of opponents no less than of friends has a right to be heard.” That should still apply. Obviously, sadly, these days it doesn’t.
The good news about Musk’s Nazi salute

Jan 22, 2025 | thebigsmoke.com.au | Joch Diaz |Paul A. McDermott |Matthew Reddin |Derryn Hinch

Elon Musk’s Nazi salute at President Trump’s inauguration could be a canary in the coal mine of the American media landscape. On January 20, Elon Musk did the Nazi salute during the American Presidential Inauguration. That is a statement of fact. That is what happened, right? Right? Just checking that you saw it too. It’s important that we’re all on the same page for this one. Cool? Cool.
Derryn Hinch: The passing of Pixie Skase

Nov 20, 2024 | thebigsmoke.com.au | Derryn Hinch

For her husband’s 40th birthday party in Brisbane, Pixie Skase flew her personal hairdresser and florist from Melbourne to Queensland for the event. Australia had never seen such public splashes of money. The death of socialite Pixie Skase, widow of disgraced entrepreneur Christopher, brought back some colourful personal memories. I knew her well and liked her. If I had to grab one word to describe Pixie I would say “loyal”. She certainly was loyal to Christopher.
RFK Jr’s nomination should scare Americans more than Trump’s rhetoric

Nov 19, 2024 | thebigsmoke.com.au | Alexandra Senter |Derryn Hinch |Alex Vickery-Howe

RFK Jr pushing conspiracy theories from a position of public authority does worse than erode trust in public institutions – it costs lives. In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, media narratives have turned from his supporters’ propensity for violent or racist rhetoric toward his controversial cabinet nominations. One appointment in particular warrants significant concern: the nomination of Robert F Kennedy Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Derryn Hinch: The Alan Jones rumours reach the next stage

Nov 18, 2024 | thebigsmoke.com.au | Derryn Hinch |Rob Idol |Mike Welsh |TBS Likes..

Obviously, we had all heard gossip over many years. But you can’t just go public on gossip, and Alan Jones was known to be very litigious. It is now for a court, and possibly a jury, to determine if Jones is guilty of the offences charged. So, those lifelong rumours about Alan Jones have reached the next stage. He has been charged with sexual offences against eight (allegedly nine) young men and will appear in a Sydney court on December 18.
How to combat the conspiracy theories our kids are forced to contend with

Nov 13, 2024 | thebigsmoke.com.au | Derryn Hinch |Alex Vickery-Howe

We need to add “research” to the curriculum alongside the three Rs, with 80% of kids seeing conspiracy theories online on a weekly basis. Spoiler alert!Michael Jackson never met Elvis Presley. Well, at least there’s no verified evidence of it. Oh wait, hang on. There’s the supposed brief meeting when Elvis took his 7-year-old daughter, Lisa Marie, to a Jackson 5 concert in Las Vegas in 1974 or 1976. Or was it in an elevator in 1976?
Derryn Hinch: Growing old, gracefully

Nov 12, 2024 | thebigsmoke.com.au | Derryn Hinch |Deb Turney

Growing old is not without its challenges. My earnest advice: Shrug it off. Relish it. Keep your mind active, and just enjoy your existence. I am now on a walking stick. A real telling symbol of old age. It has really curtailed my daily hour-long walks and epitomises that Mae West (or Bette Davis) quote about growing old not being for the faint-hearted. It is educational. On a recent flight to Sydney, I had to drastically change my ritual packing plans. One checked suitcase and no carry-on bag.