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| National Times | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Times |
| Type | Weekly newspaper |
| Foundation | 1971 |
| Ceased publication | 1996 |
| Language | English |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
National Times was an Australian weekly newspaper published between 1971 and 1996, known for investigative journalism, political analysis, and reporting on business and legal affairs. It developed a reputation for long-form reporting on federal institutions, public inquiries, corporate accountability, and prominent public figures. The paper operated during eras marked by debates over policy led by figures such as Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke, and Paul Keating, and covered major events including the Dismissal of the Whitlam Government, the Vietnam War aftermath, and the reshaping of Australian financial deregulation.
The publication was founded in 1971 in Sydney by journalists seeking an outlet for investigative reporting amid the political climate shaped by the Australian Labor Party (ALP), the Liberal Party of Australia, and shifting relations with the United States and United Kingdom. Early editorial figures drew on networks tied to institutions such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the University of Sydney journalism community. Across the 1970s and 1980s the title covered inquiries like the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption and national debates over refugee policy and Aboriginal land rights, while responding to commercial pressures from media conglomerates including News Corporation and Fairfax Media.
The paper cultivated an editorial profile that emphasized investigative reporting, legal analysis, and economic commentary, drawing contributors from outlets such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age (Melbourne), The Bulletin (Australian periodical), and the Australian Financial Review. Circulation peaked during the 1980s with readership among policymakers in Canberra, corporate executives on Pitt Street, and professionals in the Law Council of Australia and Australian Securities Commission. Its style mixed long investigative pieces with analysis of decisions from bodies like the High Court of Australia and coverage of events such as the Hawke-Keating economic reforms.
The newspaper published investigations into corporate practices involving companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, probes of union activities tied to the Australian Council of Trade Unions, and exposés concerning alleged misconduct linked to figures appearing before the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. It ran sustained reporting on the privatization agendas associated with ministers from the Fraser Ministry and the Hawke Ministry, and followed court cases in jurisdictions including the Federal Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Coverage frequently intersected with coverage by organizations such as Transparency International, reporting on scandals that engaged the attention of the Parliament of Australia and inquiries like the Costigan Royal Commission.
The publication attracted criticism from political actors across the spectrum, including members of the Liberal Party of Australia, the Australian Democrats, and the National Party of Australia, for perceived editorial bias or aggressive reporting tactics. Business groups such as the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and corporate legal teams from firms like MinterEllison sometimes disputed its reporting, leading to defamation actions in courts including the New South Wales Court of Appeal. Critics also alleged conflicts of interest when stories involved former staff who had taken roles at institutions like the Reserve Bank of Australia or consulting firms tied to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Over its lifespan the paper experienced changes in ownership and management, with ties to media executives associated with companies such as Fairfax Media and private investment groups that later engaged with entities like APN News & Media. Editorial leadership included editors and publishers who had worked at outlets including The Australian, The Bulletin (Australian periodical), and the Australian Financial Review, and newsroom staff who later moved to roles at the ABC and the SBS (Special Broadcasting Service). Financial pressures reflected trends in the broader Australian media market influenced by regulatory decisions from bodies like the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Published as a weekly broadsheet and later tabloid-format magazine, distribution channels included retail outlets on George Street and subscriptions delivered across metropolitan areas such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. The title experimented with syndication arrangements with other print outlets including The Canberra Times and international exchanges featuring coverage from agencies such as Reuters and the Associated Press. Its design and pagination drew comparisons with specialist weeklies like The Economist and regional publications such as The Bulletin (Australian periodical).
Journalists and editors from the paper received recognition from industry bodies including the Walkley Awards and the Australian Journalists Association for investigative reporting and feature writing. Specific stories were cited in submissions to inquiries such as the Costigan Royal Commission and were referenced in debates in the Parliament of Australia and academic studies at institutions like the University of New South Wales and the Australian National University. The paper’s alumni have gone on to receive honors from institutions including the Order of Australia for services to journalism.
Category:Defunct newspapers of Australia Category:Newspapers established in 1971 Category:Publications disestablished in 1996