“Get the b*tch”: The political dirt units targeting journalists

2026-07-09

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A call came through with a warning: political operatives were digging for dirt. For Amy Remeikis, it wasn’t the first time. But this time, she was told, it was more vicious than usual. In Canberra, that kind of warning is part of the machinery: a whisper campaign, a rumour, a file passed around – backgrounding against opponents or perceived threats to vested interests. Enough to make a journalist think twice about who they speak to, where they go and what stories they pursue. Too often for women in public life, the tactics are familiar and des...

A call came through with a warning: political operatives were digging for dirt.

For Amy Remeikis, it wasn’t the first time. But this time, she was told, it was more vicious than usual.

In Canberra, that kind of warning is part of the machinery: a whisper campaign, a rumour, a file passed around – backgrounding against opponents or perceived threats to vested interests. Enough to make a journalist think twice about who they speak to, where they go and what stories they pursue.

Too often for women in public life, the tactics are familiar and designed to cut deep.

Today, contributing editor at The New Daily, Amy Remeikis, on the forces trying to intimidate journalists and why she decided to call it out.

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Guest: Contributing editor for The New Daily Amy Remeikis

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

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