Stephanie Smail
Brisbane, QLD
Stephanie Smail started her career in Central Australia in 2003 as a presenter and reporter with Imparja Television. She lived in the United Kingdom for two years, working as a news reporter and producer for BBC Scotland and BBC London. Stephanie has been with the ABC since 2007. She has worked as a national radio and television news and current affairs reporter based in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra. She has also travelled extensively to cover state and federal politics, major natural disasters, rural and social issues for the ABC.
Latest by Stephanie Smail
Desperately seeking skipper: Hunt for paddle steamer captain to steer town's key tourist draw
The paddlesteamer PV Jandra, which meanders along the Darling River, is out of operation because there is no-one to take the helm.
'It's going to change my life': Unlocking the benefits of Australia's remote pools
These desert lifeguards want more remote swimming pools to be reopened, revitalised, and maintained to unlock the many benefits they offer.
First woman to lead Queensland Ballet searches for what audiences want
As a dancer, Leanne Benjamin's body often ached at night. Three months into her role as Queensland Ballet's artistic director, she admits her brain often "thumps" after navigating the business side of the gig.
How does getting fit help you land a job? These women are finding out
New courses to help people rejoin the workforce after years of unemployment are teaching skills in fitness, nutrition, money management and self-esteem.
Australian explorer pulling 70kg sled for 20km a day in freezing conditions through Greenland in research mission
The team is trekking 560 kilometres to the summit of the Greenland ice cap after NASA reported it had shrunk a fifth more than previously thought.
Bright young minds brainstorm for a better world at girls-only workshop to identify potential leaders
Even the teachers are learning at these school-based programs designed to empower schoolgirls to solve complex problems, think like entrepreneurs, and consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths.
Endangered species aren't bouncing back in the Mary River. Scientists and traditional owners want to know why
The first extensive study in decades of one of Australia's most unique rivers reveals the rare and endangered species that call it home aren't bouncing back like they should.
'We're sick of destroying it': Community fears impact of new housing development on 'unique ecosystem'
Brunswick Heads locals clash with a developer planning to turn an 18-hectare stretch of bushland with threatened species into housing to alleviate the region's homeless rate.
'When I don't have stuff to do, I do stuff that's naughty': Young offenders find a better path
West of Brisbane, this 16-year-old was vandalising cars and spent time in a watch house. An innovative education program has him on a brighter path.
Majority of Australians living under 'housing stress', survey finds
A new report from campaign group Everybody's Home finds 80 per cent of renters are spending more than a third of their income on housing.
Health union joins NSW Premier's push to change mandatory COVID-19 isolation rules
The union that represents workers in hospitals and the aged care sector says Australia needs to start trusting people to do the right thing and stay home if sick, instead of mandating isolation periods.
Doctors warn bulk-billing system will collapse without major Medicare overhaul
GPs are warning that your days of finding a bulk-billing doctor could be numbered, with some arguing that without a major injection of Medicare funding they will be forced to charge patients hefty out-of-pocket fees.
The dire shortage of teachers has federal government considering a 40pc pay rise. But there's a catch
A widespread shortage of classroom leaders pushes the federal government to consider radical reforms to get more people to take up the profession or stay longer.
Family claims 71yo woman had to crawl through blood and faeces for help at Queensland hospital
The Mackay Base Hospital management has apologised and said treatment would change and a review would be conducted.
Scenes of 'blatant cruelty' in northern NSW as vets scramble to save stranded and suffering animals
Lismore-based large animal vet Bruno Ros says he and other vets have worked tirelessly to rescue and feed as many cows and horses as they could, amid a "pathetic" response from agricultural authorities.
Hollywood is back in action. What does this mean for Australia's film boom?
Some of Hollywood's biggest stars sought refuge in the COVID-free safe haven of Queensland to shoot blockbuster movies during the pandemic. But now Hollywood is back in action with few restrictions, what will happen to Australia's film boom?
'It's amazing. An artist couldn't change it quicker': Rainfall brings hope for drought-stricken community
Queensland's outback community rejoices as rain falls on parched landscape, but experts say the downpour does not signify the end of the nearly decade-long drought.
NT given go-ahead to lift alcohol restrictions on Indigenous communities
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner now has the power to allow dry communities who want to, to reintroduce booze, which he says would combat road deaths and crime fuelled by drinking in major townships. But it is not that simple.
Potentially deadly bacteria threat emerges as flood clean-up continues
Health authorities in Townsville are warning of a potentially deadly soil-based disease that has landed several people in hospital as the flood clean-up continues in earnest across the north Queensland city.
Scientists to conduct large-scale survey into feral cat behaviour in north Qld
Feral cats are devastating native animal populations in north Queensland, and now scientists hope the first extensive survey of the predators in the state's far north will reveal where they like to live, how they hunt, and what might get rid of them.
Backyard chooks could be a biosecurity time bomb
There is a growing risk your humble backyard chicken, pig or goat could contract a zoonotic disease, which can be deadly to humans, according to the CSIRO.
Rare truffle-eating marsupial crucial to Queensland's ecosystem declines by 70 per cent
The northern bettong's diet — which consists almost entirely of truffles — is key to the survival of Queensland's forests. With just 2,500 left in the wild, WWF-Australia is calling for increased protection measures.
Government accused of sitting on its hands amid push for more national parks
Queensland is home to nearly 1,000 threatened animal species, and conservationists argue the State Government is not doing enough to protect their habitat with designated national parks.
What does the NEG mean for real cases, real people?
A small Brisbane café, a large sports stadium — both have to deal with massive electricity costs, both are worried, and both want to know: will the NEG help me?
Gene drive technology considered in the fight against feral cats
Conservation groups want cats that only produce male offspring to be released into the wild as a way to save native mammals, such as bilbies and bettongs, that are under attack.