The Morning Edition
The Morning Edition
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
The Australian philanthropist and the alleged $1.6 million sequin-studded fraud
14 minutes Posted Apr 28, 2026 at 7:00 pm.
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It's shaping up to be a story of profound betrayal – if the allegations are proven in court.

On the one hand is one of Australia's most influential and richest philanthropists, a woman who doesn't use email or indeed a computer. 

On the other is her personal secretary, whom she entrusted with access to her intimate personal and financial details.

Today, chief investigative reporter Kate McClymont on the case of Judith Neilson, Annalouise Spence and the alleged $1.6 million sequin-studded fraud.

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