I don't see anything particularly telling here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annika_Smethurst
She seems to have made a name for herself exposing the corruption of a few Liberal Party politicians. The Liberal Party of Australia is right-wing, contrary to what Americans might expect.
Goaded on by then Australian PM Scott Morrison who was regarded (in Australian terms) as a bit of a mini Trump crossed with a holy roller evangelical meglomaniac.
* On 15 April 2020, the High Court of Australia ruled that the search warrant used in the raid was invalid.
As was apparent at the time, the over reach was deliberate, a strategy of heavy stick now, get the infomation we need, kick the consequences down the road.
* On 27 May 2020 the AFP announced that Smethurst would not be charged over her stories that "...relied on classified intelligence documents".
Murdoch press tends toward the right .. but that's far too simplistic, Murdoch's media empire seeks eyeballs, stokes controversy and works towards Murdoch's goals, more power with less control by others.
In this instance they were happy to expose secret Government conversations about spying on citizens as it ticked a bunch of boxes.
As for Smethurst she is relatively neutral, but can be counted on to do good reporting as directed by her masthead and editors.
I suspect you got downvotes by non Australians who lumped this story in with Veritas depite there being a world of difference between the stories and the reporting work put into them.