Barrie Cassidy won the 2018 Keith Dunstan Quill for Commentary for his work on ABC Insiders Extra.
Judges' citation
Barrie Cassidy drew on decades of experience to bring tremendous clarity to several topical issues and highlight the hypocrisy and cynicism in federal politics. Barrie also showed his mastery of the role in video format, in what have proved to be very popular social media posts. In one compelling “Insiders Extra” post, he excoriated the Government for attempting to block a suicidal 10-year-old boy from being flown from Manus to Australia for critical mental health treatment.
The winning entry
ABC Insiders Extra, 22 March 2018
ABC Insiders Extra, 19 July 2018
ABC Insiders Extra, 26 July 2018
Highly Commended
Waleed Aly for commentaries in The Age, including:
'Why the Opera House backlash was so fierce: we've just had enough', The Age, 11 October 2018
Other finalists
John Silvester of The Age for 'Naked City'
Tony Wright for political commentary in The Age