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Steve Cannane

Biographical Notes from The Walkley Awards website for 2006

All Media: Broadcast Interviewing Winner

Steve Cannane, Hack , Triple J, ABC , "Petrol Sniffing", "Pill Testing" and "The Cost of War"

Steve Cannane's winning interviews tackled issues that weren't dominating mainstream news agendas but had a resonance with Triple J's own national audience – pill testing, the intergenerational cost of war and petrol sniffing.

His live interview with Tony Abbott asked why the minister wasn't rolling out non-sniffable Opal fuel into communities in Central Australia, nine months before he finally agreed to do so. Also using the live debate format, Cannane went on to tackle whether ecstasy testing at dance parties could potentially save lives, and he brought together a Vietnam veteran and his daughter to talk about the long-term impact of war on men and their families.

Steve Cannane has worked as a reporter, producer and presenter for ABC's Triple J. He also presented Triple J's current affairs show Hack for two and a half years until July, 2006. He is now JTV's current affairs reporter. Cannane was highly commended in this category in 2005.

Judges' comments
Cannane demonstrated refreshing tenacity in a youthful style for the Triple J audience. His interview with the Vietnam veteran and his daughter produced a wonderful interaction and was touching and highly emotional in places. Overall, his style is one of maintaining control without dominating the talent, while his interview with Tony Abbott engaged with amusing banter, without trivialising the issues. All interviews were well researched and well structured.