NEWS & INSIGHTS
The Turnaround Podcast: Paul Barry — Alan Bond and the 1980’s: Other People’s Money
The Turnaround Podcast | Episode 11
Paul Barry — Alan Bond and the 1980’s: Other People’s Money
"When Alan Bond won the America's Cup in 1983, Australia celebrated and welcomed him as a hero. By 1991, the nation's most famous entrepreneur had become a villain."
It's the perfect opening chapter for Wexted's History of Insolvency — our new series examining the defining business collapses and financial failures that shaped the modern corporate landscape.
Acclaimed author and journalist Paul Barry wrote the definitive account of how Australia made Bond a hero and why he fell from grace. Paul joins Wexted to share his insights into the financial excesses of the 1980s, and the story of "a boy who longed to see his name in lights, who was desperate to be accepted by the establishment, who wanted to be Sir Alan."
Episode Breakdown
- The Paul Barry Story
- Wy Alan? Genesis of the Book
- The Cook Islands and other scandals
- Loitering with intent: The Alan Bond Story
- 'Couldn't even speak English'
- Stretching the creditors
- The great washing machine scandal
- The Yanchep Sun City Project
- The America's Cup
- Australian of the Year
- Standards of Financial Journalism
- The Art
- Insolvency and the Legal System
- The Perfect Moment of Television
About Paul Barry
Award-winning investigative reporter and bestselling author Paul Barry studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University. A journalist with BBC TV for ten years, he came to Australia in 1987 to work for the ABC's Four Corners, where one of his hardest-hitting reports was on Bond. This led to his first bestseller, The Rise and Fall of Alan Bond. Since then, his books have dominated the bestseller lists. His second book, The Rise and Rise of Kerry Packer, was the top-selling biography of the 1990s. He followed up with Going for Broke, the story of how Alan Bond hid his fortune, and Rich Kids, which revealed how the Packers and Murdochs lost $950m in One.Tel.
Paul Barry's work as a journalist has won numerous awards. He is a former host of The Times and Witness on Channel Seven and long running host of the ABC's Media Watch. He has also written for the Sydney Morning Herald, reported for 60 Minutes and presented Breakfast on ABC Radio National.
About the Book
Paul Barry's portrayal of Bond in The Rise and Fall of Alan Bond and Going for Broke provide a detailed account of Bond's financial dealings and the events leading to his downfall. These works offer readers a deeper understanding of the complexities of Bond's case and the broader implications of his actions on the judicial system in Australia.
The Perfect Moment of Television
The confrontation between Barry and Bond is a pivotal moment in Australian television history, encapsulated in the 1994 episode of Four Corners. This episode is not only a significant event in the show's history but also a defining moment in Australian investigative journalism. The confrontation highlighted Bond's memory issues and his subsequent legal troubles, leading to his guilty plea and imprisonment for fraud.
Click here to watch the perfect moment.
The episode has been widely discussed and analysed for its impact on media and law enforcement in Australia. The story continues to resonate with audiences, as it reflects on the challenges of justice and the lengths to which individuals may go to protect their wealth.
The Cup That Broke the Bank
After Bond's famous America's Cup victory, the money flowed freely. It would take a decade — and a Four Corners interview — for anyone to count the cost.
Published 1st June 2026
By Joseph Hayes
Partner