Derryn Hinch, the bombastic journalist and former senator for Victoria, has died at the age of 82. Known as the "human headline," Hinch built a career on righteous outrage and a relentless crusade against sex offenders, which led to multiple contempt of court convictions and a brief stint in politics.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Born in New Zealand, Hinch began his journalism career at the Taranaki Herald before moving to Australia to work as a police roundsman for the Sydney Sun. He later spent 11 years in the United States and Canada, returning to Australia in 1978 to work for Melbourne radio station 3XY. The following year, he joined 3AW as the morning presenter.
In 1987, Channel Seven owner Christopher Skase told Hinch, "I want to make you the Walter Cronkite of Australia," leading to the creation of his racy current affairs program. The show moved to Network Ten in 1992, but lasted only two years before Hinch was recruited by Nine to present the Midday Show. He was sacked after just a year, followed by short-lived stints at 2GB, Gold FM, and Adelaide's 5DN.
Contempt of Court Convictions
Hinch's most defining battles were over his refusal to abide by suppression orders. In 1987, he was imprisoned for contempt of court after disclosing the prior convictions of paedophile Catholic priest Michael Glennon, who was then facing trial. He was convicted again in 2011 for defying suppression orders and sentenced to home detention, and in 2014 for detailing the criminal history of the man who murdered Melbourne woman Jill Meagher.
His friend and colleague Steve Vizard told ABC Radio that Hinch's disregard for the legal process increased the possibility of guilty sex offenders walking free. "If you derail a trial you're inflicting your own verbal punishment in substitute to proper legal punishment," Vizard said.
Move into Politics
At the age of 72, Hinch entered politics as a senator for Victoria, serving from July 2016 to June 2019. His commitment to the cause of protecting children from abuse was heartfelt and drove his political career, though his methods were often criticised.
Personal Life and Health
Hinch struggled with excessive alcohol consumption throughout his career, which led to cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. He underwent a liver transplant a decade before his death. In 2000, after his sacking from 5DN, he assured the media he had his drinking under control, but his health continued to decline.
Legacy
Despite his bombastic public persona, those who knew him well described Hinch as immensely likeable, a straight shooter, and open to criticism. His longtime lawyer, Nic Pullen, told ABC Radio that Hinch was "bombastic and larger than life, but also humane and genuine."
Hinch's death at age 82 marks the end of an era in Australian journalism, leaving a complex legacy of principled outrage and controversial methods.
