The Wire

People around the nation will have been shocked and surprised this morning, by news that John Brogden, the New South Wales Opposition leader who stood down earlier this week, apparently attempted suicide in his electorate office last night. Mr Brogden and his family had been served a big dose of media scrutiny in recent days, with the media reportedly camped outside his home and workplace. Dr Michael Dudley, Chair of Suicide Prevention Australia, describes what intense pressure of the last week would have been like for Mr Brogden. Journalism Educator Phil Castle says the initial reporting of the scandal was generally fair and justified. Former journalist and Queensland Parliamentarian Fiona Simpson is also the daughter of a politician.