Belinda Hawkins, Mark Farnell, Ian Harley & Vanessa Wiltshire of Australian Story & ABC News won the 2019 Victorian Government Quill for Reporting on Disability Issues for their report 'A Bitter Pill'.

Judges' citation

This Belinda Hawkins-led Australian Story episode on Lisa McManus and her determination to secure justice for thalidomide survivors in Australia was an exceptional piece of journalism. The production allowed McManus to share her own experience in an intimate and compelling way. It demonstrated extraordinary depth and quality of research and storytelling. A highly compelling portrayal of the human story driving the senate inquiry into thalidomide.

The winning entry

'A Bitter Pill', Australian Story, 11 March 2019

Highly commended

Bridget Rollason, ABC News, Melbourne's Tram Network

Other finalists

Norman Hermant, ABC News, People with Disability Struggle For Equality

Evan Young, SBS News, Why Australia's prison system can be 'terrifying' for people with an intellectual disability