Winner: Adele Ferguson, ABC News

Judges’ Citation:

Adele Ferguson’s work on a broken childcare system in Australia was journalism at its finest. It was of high public importance and interest, doggedly pursued over many months, revelatory and with impact. It exposed the structural issues behind the headlines and was the clear standout entry this year.

See Adele accept the award below:

Shortlisted

Robyn Riley, Herald Sun

Rachael Brown, ABC News

Ben Smee, Guardian Australia

Background: 

This is the 50th Graham Perkin award, commemorating The Age editor who died in 1975.

Adele Ferguson’s second Perkin means she becomes only the fourth journalist to win the award more than once. She joins Andrew Rule (1996, 2001) Paul McGeough (1997, 2004) and Nick McKenzie (2020, 2024, and with Richard Baker in 2017). Adele’s first win was in 2015.