AJR 30(1)  The Beaconsfield mine disaster and the evolution of chequebook journalism Nicola Goc and Jason Bainbridge Abstract Using the reporting of the 2006 Beaconsield mine disaster in Tasmania as a case study, this paper explores the changing nature of chequebook journalism and the shift towards the consumerist model of entertain- ment news in Australia. The paper argues that the media’s coverage of the disaster was a major turning point in the evolution of chequebook journalism in Australia. The moment miner Todd Russell, one of two survivors from the disaster, asked then-Channel 9 CEO Eddie McGuire to “tell me how big your chequebook is” on national television in re- sponse to a question about an exclusive interview, chequebook journal- ism was outed. Seldom before in Australia had a member of the public been so up-front about their monetary value to the media. Introduction “Tell me how big your chequebook is and we’ll talk.” The moment miner Todd Russell, the big affable hero of the 2006 Beaconsield mine disaster, uttered those words in response to then-Channel 9 CEO Eddie McGuire’s question about an exclusive interview on the nationally televised program The Footy Show, chequebook journalism was outed. It was the irst time in Australia that a member of the public had, on national television, been so up-front about their monetary value to the media. The audience’s response to Russell’s brazen question to the then most powerful man in Australian television was enthusiastic applause. There was much clapping and cheering from the audience, who sensed that for once one of the little people held the power over the media. Beaconsield is thus a turning point in the evolution of chequebook journalism in Australia, and this article uses the reporting of the Beaconsield disaster as a case study to explore both the changing nature of chequebook journalism and the shift towards the consumerist model of entertainment news in this country. Drawing on a range of media sources from both print and