Dr Charlie Teo is known for his incredible brain surgeries, taking on operations that other doctors won’t touch.

But several families have come forward, who allege they were misled about the risks and that Teo’s operations left their loved ones worse off than before.

Teo denies any wrongdoing, and says he treats his patients like he would want to be treated. 

But there’s another player in this story that hasn’t been subject to scrutiny: the news media.

Today, contributor to The Monthly, Martin McKenzie-Murray, on Dr Charlie Teo and how the media built the image of a maverick miracle worker.




Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.

Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Martin McKenzie-Murray.

Dr Charlie Teo is known for his incredible brain surgeries, taking on operations that other doctors won’t touch.But several families have come forward, who allege they were misled about the risks and that Teo’s operations left their loved ones worse off than before.Teo denies any wrongdoing, and says he treats his patients like he would want to be treated. But there’s another player in this story that hasn’t been subject to scrutiny: the news media.Today, contributor to The Monthly, Martin McKenzie-Murray, on Dr Charlie Teo and how the media built the image of a maverick miracle worker. Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/7ampodcast">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>.Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Martin McKenzie-Murray.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Charlie Teo: The media’s ‘maverick, miracle doctor’

In October 2022, Dan Duggan was arrested at a Woolworths in Orange, regional New South Wales, after dropping his kids off at school.

American prosecutors claim the former US Marine pilot helped train Chinese military pilots in South Africa more than a decade ago, in breach of US arms trafficking laws. Duggan denies that, and says he believed he was involved in lawful civilian flight training.

He’s now facing extradition to the United States.

But before the arrest, the charges, and before the extradition fight, Duggan was living as an Australian citizen, running a flight business in Tasmania, and building a life with his wife Saffrine and their children.

Today, Dan Duggan’s wife, Saffrine Duggan on her husband’s fight for freedom from jail, and journalist and member of the Free Dan Duggan Campaign, Michael Sainsbury, on how an Australian pilot became the target of US prosecution.

This is part one of a two-part episode.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Saffrine Duggan and journalist and member of the Free Dan Duggan campaign Michael Sainsbury.

In October 2022, Dan Duggan was arrested at a Woolworths in Orange, regional New South Wales, after dropping his kids off at school.
American prosecutors claim the former US Marine pilot helped train Chinese military pilots in South Africa more than a decade ago, in breach of US arms trafficking laws. Duggan denies that, and says&nbsp;he believed he was involved in lawful civilian flight training.
He&rsquo;s now facing extradition to the United States.
But before the arrest, the charges, and before the extradition fight, Duggan was living as an Australian citizen, running a flight business in Tasmania, and building a life with his wife Saffrine and their children.
Today, Dan Duggan&rsquo;s wife, Saffrine Duggan on her husband&rsquo;s fight for freedom from jail, and journalist and member of the&nbsp;Free Dan Duggan Campaign, Michael Sainsbury, on how an Australian pilot became the target of US prosecution.
This is part one of a two-part episode.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Saffrine Duggan and journalist and member of the Free Dan Duggan campaign Michael Sainsbury.

The fight for Dan Duggan - Part 1: From 'Top Gun' to wanted man

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/4c519b3a-cdb9-4240-9021-b436003f8803/transcript

Dan Duggan’s case is now an extradition battle.

Former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus approved the Australian citizen’s extradition to the United States and the Federal Court has rejected the latest attempt to stop it.

Duggan’s supporters say this is no longer just a legal case – they believe it’s also shaped by geopolitics and the growing rivalry between the United States and China, and by Australia’s willingness to go along with Washington.

Today, journalist Michael Sainsbury, and Saffrine Duggan, on why the Australian government signed off on Duggan’s extradition, what he could face in the United States, and why his supporters say he has become caught in something much bigger than one man.

This is part two of a two-part episode.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Saffrine Duggan and journalist and member of the Free Dan Duggan campaign Michael Sainsbury.

Photo: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

Dan Duggan&rsquo;s case is now an extradition battle.
Former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus approved the Australian citizen&rsquo;s extradition to the United States and the Federal Court has rejected the latest attempt to stop it.
Duggan&rsquo;s supporters say this is no longer just a legal case &ndash; they believe it&rsquo;s also shaped by geopolitics and the growing rivalry between the United States and China, and by Australia&rsquo;s willingness to go along with Washington.
Today, journalist Michael Sainsbury, and Saffrine Duggan, on why the Australian government signed off on Duggan&rsquo;s extradition, what he could face in the United States, and why his supporters say he has become caught in something much bigger than one man.
This is part two of a two-part episode.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Saffrine Duggan and journalist and member of the Free Dan Duggan campaign Michael Sainsbury.
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

The fight for Dan Duggan - Part 2: The extradition battle

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/69cdabb7-423e-4bb8-afb0-b436003e7e8e/transcript

When Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan introduced the state's treaty bill into parliament, she said it would pave the way for a formal apology, the introduction of Aboriginal truth-telling into the school curriculum, and a better future for Indigenous Australians in the state.

The treaty is the culmination of almost a decade of work that established the First Peoples’ Assembly – which led the negotiations – and delivers on ‘Voice, Treaty and Truth’, making Victoria the first state in the country to do so.

Now, that treaty is in its next phase. This week, we'll have the election results of who will sit on the next First Peoples’ Assembly – and tomorrow, the process of setting up the delegation that will actually decide what the treaty will look like begins.

Today, the co-chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg, on what they hope Victoria’s treaty will deliver – and how its success will be measured.

This is part one of a two-part episode that first aired in September 2025.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Co-Chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg.

Photo: AAP Image/Pool, Justin McManus

When Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan introduced the state's treaty bill into parliament, she said it would pave the way for a formal apology, the introduction of Aboriginal truth-telling into the school curriculum, and a better future for Indigenous Australians in the state.
The treaty is the culmination of almost a decade of work that established the First Peoples&rsquo; Assembly &ndash; which led the negotiations &ndash; and delivers on &lsquo;Voice, Treaty and Truth&rsquo;, making Victoria the first state in the country to do so.
Now, that treaty is in its next phase. This week, we'll have the election results of who will sit on the next First Peoples&rsquo; Assembly &ndash; and tomorrow, the process of setting up the delegation that will actually decide what the treaty will look like begins.
Today, the co-chairs of the&nbsp;First Peoples&rsquo; Assembly, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg, on what they hope Victoria&rsquo;s treaty will deliver &ndash; and how its success will be measured.
This is part one of a two-part episode that first aired in September 2025.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy&nbsp;7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Co-Chairs of the First Peoples&rsquo; Assembly of Victoria, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg.
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Pool, Justin McManus

Part 1: Victoria’s historic treaty

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/24e5646f-65a3-408e-a797-b4350076c25d/transcript

Charlie Teo: The media’s ‘maverick, miracle doctor’

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