Paul Sakkal of The Age has won the 2020 Young Journalist of the Year award.

Judges' citation

Paul was involved in breaking the biggest stories in Victoria last year, including the hotel quarantine scandal and Liberal branch stacking allegations. The judges were impressed by his ability to break exclusive stories in one of the most competitive environments in the country last year. Paul's reporting had real impact and held the government to account.

The winning entry

Quarantine hotel COVID-19 outbreak could have been prevented: workers, The Age, 12 June 2020

Sutton warned of hotel quarantine risks a month before first outbreak, The Age, 3 July 2020

Leaked emails reveal government knew of problems on day one of hotel quarantine, The Age, 13 July 2020

Please note: the above link/s may not comprise the entirety of an entry submitted for consideration.

Highly commended

Michael Fowler, The Age, for a portfolio of work

Other finalists

Ellen McCutchan, ABC News & Crikey, for a portfolio of work

Anthony Piovesan, Leader/ NCA NewsWire, for a portfolio of work

The MPC Young Journalist of the Year award is proudly sponsored by: