Winner: Jessica Longbottom, Ben Butler and Danielle Bonica, ABC News, “The people the NDIS left behind”

Judges’ Citation:

The judges were impressed by the care, persistence and integrity shown by Jessica Longbottom, Ben Butler and photographer Danielle Bonica. Their reporting gave a rare insight into the lives of some people with psychosocial disabilities who are often overlooked or misrepresented. The investigation went beyond exposing alleged exploitation under the NDIS. Their time-intensive and trauma-informed approach enabled them to build trust with the participants, many of whom were isolated and fearful, to give them a voice and help expose the confronting conditions they were forced to live in. Together, the multi-platform series challenged stigma and highlighted systemic failures to detail the real-life experiences and challenges faced by some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Highly Commended

Alice Walker, ABC News, “18 year-old wheelchair user becomes official umpire”

Eliza Hull, SBS Audio, “Love Without Limits”

Shortlisted

Grant McArthur and Rachel Eddie, The Age, “Victoria's seclusion crisis”