Radio: Feature, Documentary or Broadcast Special Winner

Antony Funnell, Background Briefing, ABC Radio, “Financial Abuse of the Elderly”

Antony Funnell’s Background Briefing documentary set out to highlight the growing, but hidden, trend of the financial abuse of
Australia’s elderly.

As well as investigating measures being explored to combat the problem, Funnell’s documentary explored he issues of family guilt and shame that allow the problem to still largely go unreported.

Funnell is currently the presenter of the Media Report on ABC Radio National. He started his career as a graduate cadet with ABC Radio News and over the two decades has worked for many of the country’s leading news and current affairs programs, including AM, PM and The 7.30 Report.

He has produced stories for a range of Radio National programs and for much of 2006 he was executive producer of Australia Talks Back.

Judges’ comments
Funnell’s documentary followed on from original research conducted in the US and raised a critical issue in public consciousness.