Erin Patterson was this week sentenced to at least 33 years in prison for murdering three family members and attempting to kill a fourth, by serving a lunch laced with poisonous mushrooms – closing a chapter in the saga that’s become globally known as the Mushroom Murders.

On this week’s Bloomberg Australia Podcast, host Chris Bourke speaks with Ainsley Thomson about why the case drew so much international interest, spawning books, podcasts and TV series. They also explore what fuels our obsession with true crime, and whether the intense scrutiny may have influenced Patterson’s fate.

Erin Patterson was this week sentenced to at least 33 years in prison for murdering three family members and attempting to kill a fourth, by serving a lunch laced with poisonous mushrooms &ndash; closing a chapter in the saga that&rsquo;s become globally known as the Mushroom Murders.
On this week&rsquo;s Bloomberg Australia Podcast, host Chris Bourke speaks with Ainsley Thomson about why the case drew so much international interest, spawning books, podcasts and TV series. They also explore what fuels our obsession with true crime, and whether the intense scrutiny may have influenced Patterson&rsquo;s fate.

Each week, Rebecca Jones and Bloomberg's team of reporters lift the lid on the biggest stories shaping Australia's place in global business. 

Each week, Rebecca Jones and Bloomberg's team of reporters lift the lid on the biggest stories shaping Australia's place in global business.

Each week, Rebecca Jones and Bloomberg's team of reporters lift the lid on the biggest stories shaping Australia's place in global business.

The Bloomberg Australia Podcast

Each week, Rebecca Jones and Bloomberg's team of reporters lift the lid on the biggest stories shaping Australia's place in global business.

Australia’s Mushroom Murders: Why The World Can’t Look Away

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Bondi Beach has long stood as a symbol of Australia’s easygoing spirit—a multicultural meeting place of sunlight, surf and community. But the recent terror attack during a Hanukkah celebration shattered that image, leaving a nation in mourning and reflection. In this episode, host Rebecca Jones is joined by Bloomberg Opinion columnist David Fickling to explore why this attack cuts so deeply, not just for those directly affected, but for the Australian identity itself.

They unpack the cultural significance of Bondi, the global ripple effects of local violence, and how public figures and everyday Australians are responding. 

You can read David’s column on the terror here: Bondi, and Australia, Get Swept Into a Violent World - Bloomberg

Bondi Beach has long stood as a symbol of Australia&rsquo;s easygoing spirit&mdash;a multicultural meeting place of sunlight, surf and community. But the recent terror attack during a Hanukkah celebration shattered that image, leaving a nation in mourning and reflection. In this episode, host Rebecca Jones is joined by Bloomberg Opinion columnist David Fickling to explore why this attack cuts so deeply, not just for those directly affected, but for the Australian identity itself.
They unpack the cultural significance of Bondi, the global ripple effects of local violence, and how public figures and everyday Australians are responding. You can read David&rsquo;s column on the terror here: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-12-15/bondi-and-australia-get-swept-into-a-violent-world">Bondi, and Australia, Get Swept Into a Violent World - Bloomberg</a>

How the Bondi Attack Swept Australia Into a Violent World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e85405a0-ee4c-4c97-999e-b3b5008c74a5/transcript

Australia’s hopes for rate cuts in 2026 have dimmed after RBA Governor Michele Bullock signaled they’re no longer on the table – and that a rate hike is now a real possibility. With inflation proving stickier than expected and price pressures broadening on everything from housing to everyday essentials, markets are beginning to reprice the path for interest rates.

In this episode, Bloomberg’s Swati Pandey breaks down why the RBA is shifting toward a potential tightening bias, how upcoming inflation data could shape the next move, and what it all means for mortgages, the housing market and Australia’s economic outlook. 

Australia&rsquo;s hopes for rate cuts in 2026 have dimmed after RBA Governor Michele Bullock signaled they&rsquo;re no longer on the table &ndash; and that a rate hike is now a real possibility. With inflation proving stickier than expected and price pressures broadening on everything from housing to everyday essentials, markets are beginning to reprice the path for interest rates.
In this episode, Bloomberg&rsquo;s Swati Pandey breaks down why the RBA is shifting toward a potential tightening bias, how upcoming inflation data could shape the next move, and what it all means for mortgages, the housing market and Australia&rsquo;s economic outlook.&nbsp;

Why Rate Hikes Are Back on the Table for 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0cd83b6d-901a-4e87-b839-b3b0001c48cc/transcript

From next week, Australia’s under 16s will be prevented from accessing platforms including TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook, as the Labor government pushes to curb harms caused by social media.
In our latest podcast, Rebecca Jones asks Bloomberg’s Angus Whitley to unpack the origins of the ban, what both parents and children can expect when it comes into force next week – and what the controversial move means for Big Tech.

From next week, Australia&rsquo;s under 16s will be prevented from accessing platforms including TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook, as the Labor government pushes to curb harms caused by social media. In our latest podcast, Rebecca Jones asks Bloomberg&rsquo;s Angus Whitley to unpack the origins of the ban, what both parents and children can expect when it comes into force next week &ndash; and what the controversial move means for Big Tech.

Social Media Ban: Everything to Know Before Deactivation Day 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e104b01f-34f0-4e5b-8a15-b3a90010210c/transcript

Australia’s Mushroom Murders: Why The World Can’t Look Away

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