Samantha Donovan
Sam has been a reporter and presenter for the AM, PM and The World Today programs since 2006.
She has covered some of the biggest court cases of the century, including the proceedings against Cardinal George Pell.
And was one of the ABC’s lead reporters on the Royal Commission into the Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse from 2013-2017.
She’s reported on federal politics from Parliament House in Canberra.
And in 2009 won a Walkley Award for her coverage of the Black Saturday bushfire disaster.
Latest by Samantha Donovan
Child abduction vs domestic violence: The dilemma mothers face when they become victims of abuse abroad
The federal government is considering changing the law to ensure victims of domestic violence are not forced to send their children back to abusive partners under the requirements of an international treaty.
Report reveals reasons behind huge backlog of 37,000 veteran requests for compensation
The Department of Veterans' Affairs keeps secret a damning report on its own staff shortages and delays in processing compensation.
'A real mess': Aged care residents left waiting, nurses at the ready, but no vaccine doses turned up
Residents of one aged care home who have been confined to their facility since Queensland's recent outbreak began in March waited in vain for COVID-19 vaccinations this week.
Australia's Grand Mufti dies four months after being appointed
The head of Australia's Muslims, Sheikh Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi, is being remembered for his work in the community and with young people.
Institutional child sex abuse survivors might get less money under redress scheme
Survivors of institutional child sex abuse are being warned the payments they are hoping to receive under the national redress scheme may be far less than anticipated.
Redress scheme should include victims of psychological, physical abuse: Hinch
Victorian Senator Derryn Hinch promises to push the Federal Government to expand the national redress scheme, as the Catholic Church denies colluding with the Government to reduce cap.
Mouncey's coach dismisses calls about unfair advantage
Hannah Mouncey's coach at the Ainslie Football Club in Canberra has dismissed concerns that transgender players are stronger than other women on the field.
Wild Oats XI 'should have been disqualified' from Sydney to Hobart
A veteran sailor of 75 years says Wild Oats XI should have been disqualified for a manoeuvre at the start of the Sydney to Hobart that ultimately cost the record-breaking yacht this year's line honours.
A compensation scheme for abuse victims was supposed to be running by now. Why isn't it?
In 2015, the child abuse royal commission recommended a national redress scheme for victims be up and running by mid-2017 "at the latest". The $4 billion scheme is still not in place. This is why.
The sex abuse royal commission went to some dark places — here's a snapshot
After five years of emotionally exhausting and confronting public hearings, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse will hand its report to the Governor-General today. This is just a snapshot of the cases it investigated.
Diggers' relatives rejoice as wind farm near WWI battlefield canned
The burial site of thousands of World War I soldiers is to remain undisturbed after a multinational company cancelled its plan to build a wind farm in northern France.
Political opponents unite for 'grace and kindness' in same-sex marriage ads
The Federal Government and Opposition are working together to quickly introduce new laws to protect people from vilification and deceptive conduct during the same-sex marriage campaign, after the High Court greenlit the postal vote.
Grenfell-style flammable cladding should be banned, Senate committee says
A Senate committee recommends Australia ban the importation, sale and use of the type of cladding that led to London's deadly Grenfell tower tragedy, prompting a dissenting report from Coalition members.
Pokies pre-commitment schemes needed to help gamblers limit losses, researchers say
The Australian Gambling Research Centre says compulsory pokies pre-commitment systems that would force gamblers to commit to a limit on their spending should be introduced across the country.
'Rust deposits' in the brain linked to Alzheimer's disease, researchers say
Australian researchers say they have discovered a new link between Alzheimer's disease and the levels of iron in the brain.
Ludlam's likely replacement Steele-John wants to open doors for people with disabilities
Jordon Steele-John, a 22-year-old student who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair and is the frontrunner to replace Scott Ludlam in the Senate, says he wants to break down barriers that stop people participating as full and equal citizens.
Dutton's promotion overshadows intelligence shake-up
The announcement of a super-ministry to be led by Peter Dutton is grabbing headlines, but it is overshadowing the biggest proposed shakeup of Australia's intelligence operations in decades.
Child injuries cost Australia $2 billion in 10 years: report
Bumps, scrapes and even broken bones are a common feature of many children's lives, but child health experts are concerned that the number of child injuries is not falling.
Is the Pope backing away from a crackdown on paedophiles?
Australian Catholics must push for change and no longer passively accept inaction from senior church figures when it comes to child abuse, says the man in charge of coordinating the church's response to the royal commission.
Australians 'suffering economic abuse' at the hands of partners
Eleven per cent of Australians — both women and men — suffer economic abuse by a partner, new research finds, but many are not aware they are victims of this subtle form of domestic violence.
Genetic clue to form of blindness could lead to early diagnosis
The first genetic indicator of an eye disease which results in blindness has been discovered by an international team of researchers.
Pell demands probe into police, ABC over sex abuse allegations
Cardinal George Pell is calling for an investigation into whether some elements of Victoria Police and the ABC have conspired to pervert the course of justice, after the 7.30 program aired details of sexual abuse allegations against him.
Headspace in turmoil as CEO and five board members resign
National youth mental health foundation Headspace appears to be in disarray after the resignation of its CEO and five board members.
RSL proposes veterans' services focus on life-long support
The Returned and Services League (RSL) proposes a major shake-up of veterans' support services, with a new focus on providing them with life-long healthcare.
Deaf Society president named new Disability Discrimination Commissioner
Deaf Society president Alastair McEwin will take up the role as Disability Discrimination Commissioner in late July, filling the vacancy left by Graeme Innes in mid-2014.
