The Price of Justice
At least one class action is launched on average every week in Australia. They are often seen as the only way Australians wronged by powerful institutions can get compensation and justice.
Across the country retirees, taxi drivers and First Nations families have signed up with the hope of compensation and recognition, but the reality is often very different — many are left feeling sidelined, short-changed, and sometimes retraumatised.
In this Four Corners, ABC investigations' reporter Anne Connolly reveals how some class actions have become a brazen money-making exercise for lawyers and litigation funders — many of them based overseas.
The investigation exposes cases where law firms charged huge fees, funders nearly tripled their money, and people meant to be protected were left feeling exploited once again.
The Price of Justice asks whether the system still serves the public, or whether it's now serving itself.
The Price of Justice, reported by Anne Connolly and produced by Alex McDonald, goes to air on Monday 4 August at 8.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.
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