Quentin Dempster
Quentin Dempster | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, writer |
| Years active | 1960s–2014 |
| Known for | Investigative journalism, 7.30 Report presenter |
| Notable work | Honest Cops, Whistleblowers, Death Struggle |
Quentin Dempster AM is a distinguished Australian journalist and writer.
Career
Dempster's journalism career commenced as a cadet at Queensland's Maryborough Chronicle, eventually advancing to the role of chief political reporter for Brisbane's Telegraph.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions, he was awarded the Australian Journalists' Association gold honour badge in 1982.
ABC
Dempster joined the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1984, where he covered significant investigations such as Queensland's Fitzgerald Inquiry and the NSW Police Wood Royal Commission. He created the documentary The Sunshine System, which uncovered systemic corruption within the Queensland police force and played a pivotal role in initiating the Fitzgerald Inquiry (1987–1989). His investigative reporting on the national 7.30 Report brought these critical issues to widespread public attention.
By 1990, he was appointed as the NSW presenter for 7.30 Report, and by 1995, he led its national investigative team, including coverage of the Wood Royal Commission. In 1992, he was named a Member of the Order of Australia for his media services, and in 2002, he received the Walkley Award for excellence in journalism.
On 28 November 2014, following budget reductions at ABC under managing director Mark Scott, Dempster announced the final broadcast of 7.30 NSW, which was being discontinued after nearly two decades. He expressed gratitude to viewers and confirmed his departure after three decades with ABC. ABC news director Kate Torney regarded his exit as a significant loss, commending his fearless reporting on corruption as a benchmark of journalistic integrity.
Bibliography
- Honest Cops: True stories of Australians who confronted corruption and endured repercussions (1992, ABC Enterprises)
- Whistleblowers (1997, ABC Books)
- Death Struggle (2000, Allen & Unwin)
External links
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1961 births
- Australian television newsreaders and news presenters
- Australian television journalists
- Walkley Award winners
- Living people
- Place of birth missing (living people)
- Television in Sydney
- Board members of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation