Richard Baker has worked at The Age for seven years.  After completing his traineeship in 1999, Richard became the paper's rural reporter for 18 months, winning several awards at Victoria's Rural Press Club.

In 2001, Richard joined the state political team.  He uncovered the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority's acceptance of a $400,000 payment from a gaming machine manufacturer it was investigating.

His stories led to the removal of Victoria's top gaming regulator, an Ombudsman's inquiry and an overhaul of gaming legislation by the state government.

Since joining the Age's investigations team, Richard has continued to delve into his areas of interest such as politics, big business influence on policy, Australia's foreign relations, gaming and the environment.

Recently, he broke the story on China wanting to set up its own uranium mines in Australia and revealed how BHP Billiton kept a presence in Iraq by using its affiliate Tigris Petroleum to push its interests with Saddam Hussein.

Phone: 9601 2269

Email: rbaker@theage.com.au