Penny Timms
Penny Timms is a multi-platform journalist with the ABC News Specialist Reporting Team. She has previously worked for the ABC's national audio current affairs unit, reporting for programs including AM, The World Today, and PM. Penny has also worked for ABC News in Darwin and Sydney, and has reported from remote places in the outback and regional Queensland. Penny's interests include the environment, climate change, social affairs, and health. You can find her on Threads @PennyTimms.
Latest by Penny Timms
'First time in 167 years': Hospital chain flags shock split from major health insurer
St Vincent's is planning to end its contract with private health insurer nib after negotiations for renewal broke down.
Millions watched as Jill tried to quit vaping. Then something unexpected happened
Jill's vaping dependence and attempts to quit became a social media journey followed by millions. Here's what she thinks about the changes to Australia's vaping laws.
Here's what you need to know about FLiRT, the new highly-transmissible COVID-causing variants
After a busy start to flu season, we're now bracing for new, highly transmissible COVID-causing subvariants.
Head of nursing body sacked following financial investigation
Senior executives at Australia's peak body for nurses have been sacked after an investigation found alleged "financial irregularities".
Is this Australia's best-kept secret? The lifesaving cancer screens more women should know about
The US is recommending women get regular breast cancer screening from the age of 40. Australia already does this but it's the country's best-kept secret.
'They don't stand a chance': After the Bondi Junction attack, do security guards need more powers?
After the Bondi Junction knife attack on the weekend, there's debate about whether security guards have enough protection and powers to keep themselves, and the public, safe.
A review into how children with gender dysphoria are treated in England has been released. Here's what it means for Australia
There's been a mixed response amongst Australian medical professionals after the release of England's Cass Review into the treatment of children with gender dysphoria. Here's what some of them had to say about the findings.
Nursing executives stood down pending investigation of 'potential financial irregularities'
The boss of a peak national nursing body is one of three executives who have been stood down pending an independent investigation into "potential financial irregularities" within the organisation.
Tax-deductible gym memberships? This group reckons it's a no-brainer
Rent rises and cost-of-living pressures have seen more people cancelling their gym memberships. One fitness group thinks making gym sessions tax-deductible will keep more Australians healthy and is lobbying the government to get on board.
Nina's symptoms didn't raise any red flags because she thought she was too young to have bowel cancer
Like the Princess of Wales, mum-of-three Nina Di Santo was not in the age group of concern for cancer. Her diagnosis is classified as "early onset" and experts say there is an increase in the number of younger people impacted by the disease.
With health insurance premiums about to increase, these people decided to 'self-fund' their private healthcare instead
As private health premiums are set to rise, some Australians are making a conscious decision to opt for "self-insurance" rather than "health insurance" to cut down on expenses. Experts warn it's not for everyone.
Rachel felt ill and would go 'beetroot red' before hormone therapy. Now experts are questioning that course of treatment
Menopause has become "over-medicalised" and treated like a "disease", Australian researchers are arguing, saying some women are getting unnecessary treatment. But it's a controversial opinion.
New sun safety advice has been developed for diverse skin types. Here's what it says
Clinicians, patient organisations and medical researchers are updating advice around sun exposure to explicitly recognise different skin types.
Isabelle's commute became a 'hot mess' overnight. What solutions are there to Sydney's traffic woes?
Planning experts say more investment is needed in public transport to support high density housing, as Greater Sydney's population is estimated to sit at 6 million by 2040.
Disgraced former top detective Roger Rogerson dies serving prison sentence for murder
The former police officer was awarded at least a dozen accolades for his work on some of the country's most high-profile cases before turning to a life of crime and spending his final days behind bars.
Sydney apartment tower development 'at threat of collapse' after 'serious defects' found in concrete
The Lachlan's Line precinct was completed in 2020, consisting of four buildings containing a total of 900 apartments, with a retail village on the ground floor.
'Not for the faint-hearted': People told to stay away from mysterious Sydney beach
The mysterious appearance and disappearance of sand at a bay in Sydney's east has caused both intrigue and headaches for decades, depending on who you are.
The 'annoying, irritating cough' that GPs say parents should be aware of
NSW reports more than the average number of patients presenting with mycoplasma pneumonia for this time of year.
Leaving bags behind a major factor in safe evacuation of burning Japan Airlines plane, experts say
This is what we know about what led to the crash and how all 379 people on the commercial aircraft survived.
Mince pies recalled by Woolworths due to possible metal contamination
Woolworths has recalled shortcrust mince pies right before Christmas in NSW because of potential metal contamination.
Kathleen Folbigg speaks out after convictions for killing children overturned
Kathleen Folbigg, once labelled the nation's worst female serial killer, has the convictions for killing her four children overturned by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal.
Gasps in court as Buxton P-plate driver jailed for 12 years over crash that killed five teenagers
A magistrate says the deaths of five teenagers in a crash in south-west Sydney last year were "completely avoidable" after jailing driver Tyrell Edwards for 12 years.
Sydney's multi-billion-dollar roadway with choke points designers didn't see coming
The much-discussed Rozelle Interface has proved to have teething problems after opening on Sunday. But experts say it isn't user error.
NSW police officer charged with manslaughter over fatal tasering of Clare Nowland
Clare Nowland, who had dementia, died in Cooma Hospital in May a week after allegedly being tasered by Senior Constable Kristian White at her Yallambee Lodge nursing home.
Shock waves after suspected murder of 21-year-old Lilie James spotlights violence against women
When 21-year-old Lilie James failed to return home from work on Wednesday, a welfare phone call led police to a tragic crime scene they found confronting.