22 August
2006 - Australian Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, today congratulated
the Matthew Carney, Morag Ramsay and Anne Connolly
for winning the 2006 Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for
Environmental Journalism and commended them for
their standard-bearing journalism.
Presenting the award at the
annual Eureka Prizes award dinner in Sydney, Senator
Campbell said their winning entry, ‘The Whale
Wars’, was a story focusing on the lead up to
and vote in the International Whaling Commission.
“This was a terrific piece of
journalism that helped many Australians to see
how difficult the international anti-whaling fight
really is,” Senator Campbell said.
“Quality journalism is an important
part of Australian culture – it keeps people aware
of important issues, it informs public debate
and it creates change.
“Journalists also play a vital
role in maintaining a sustainable environment.
When based on well-researched facts, their words
and images are able to cut through misconceptions
and challenge ideological stereotypes.”
‘The Whale Wars’ was broadcast
on ABC TV’s Four Corners programme and was selected
from 27 initial entries by an independent expert
panel.
The other finalists included:
• Wendy Page for ‘Of Droughts
and Flooding Rains’ – a story about Peter Andrews
and his land management techniques (Australian
Story)
• David Fisher, Simon Benson and Peter Trute for
‘The Toxic Harbour’ – a series of stories about
dioxin contamination in Sydney Harbour (The Daily
Telegraph)
• Wendy Frew for ‘The Truth About Desalination’
– a series of stories about the desalination plant
proposed for Kurnell (The Sydney Morning Herald)
“Each of the finalists in the
Peter Hunt Eureka Prize has done a terrific job
and their stories are examples of the very best
in environmental journalism,” Senator Campbell
said. “I congratulate each of these journalists
on their excellent work.”
The Eureka Prizes are the most
prestigious science prizes in Australia and the
Australian Government Peter Hunt Prize for Environmental
Journalism includes $10,000 prize money.
Rob Broadfield
