ABC journalist Liz Jackson dies in her sleep after losing her battle with Parkinson’s Disease

ABC journalist and Walkley award-winner Liz Jackson (pictured) has died in her sleep after losing her battle with Parkinson’s Disease

ABC journalist Liz Jackson has died in her sleep after losing her battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Ms Jackson passed away on Wednesday, aged 67, while on holiday in Greece with her husband Martin Butler. 

The family of the Walkley award-winning journalist said in a statement: ‘Liz was an inspiration to many and a legendary figure at the ABC, committing her life to public interest journalism’. 

‘She is deeply loved. We are overwhelmed with grief at her loss.

‘Liz was also the most wonderful Mum and Granny, to us she will always be our best friend, confidant, storyteller, chef and with a mean forehand.’ 

Ms Jackson worked at the public broadcaster between 1986 and 2013 on news and current affairs programs, including Four Corners and Media Watch.

‘Liz Jackson was one of the greats of the ABC, an incredible journalist who inspired all around her and who Australians turned to with complete trust,’ ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie said. 

‘Her work has informed and shaped this country. Her enormous talent, fearless integrity and unflinching courage will serve as a beacon for many generations of journalists and storytellers to come.’ 

Ms Jackson (front, right) worked at the ABC for almost 20 years on programs such as Four Corners. She is pictured here in 2011 with the then Four Corners team, Marian Wilkinson (left), Debbie Whitmont, Quentin McDermott, Matthew Carney, Kerry O'Brien and Sarah Ferguson

Ms Jackson (front, right) worked at the ABC for almost 20 years on programs such as Four Corners. She is pictured here in 2011 with the then Four Corners team, Marian Wilkinson (left), Debbie Whitmont, Quentin McDermott, Matthew Carney, Kerry O’Brien and Sarah Ferguson

She won nine Walkley awards, including one in 2017 for A Sense of Self, a documentary on her battle with Parkinson's Disease

She won nine Walkley awards, including one in 2017 for A Sense of Self, a documentary on her battle with Parkinson’s Disease

Ms Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 18 months after leaving the ABC.  

In a piece for the ABC in late 2016, Ms Jackson had spoken candidly about her battle with the Disease.   

‘I knew virtually nothing about it. To me, Parkinson’s meant a bad tremor, an awkward gait and difficulty with handling small change,’ she had written. 

I’ve since learned it’s a complicated disease of the brain that can have different effects on different people.   

In a statement, the family of Ms Jackson said: 'She is deeply loved. We are overwhelmed with grief at her loss'

In a statement, the family of Ms Jackson said: ‘She is deeply loved. We are overwhelmed with grief at her loss’

‘Parkinson’s disease has had a devastating effect on my life. It’s made me physically weaker, more vulnerable and self-conscious.’ 

Ms Jackson won the Gold Walkley – the highest prize in Australian journalism – in 2006 for ‘Stoking the Fires’, a report on a civilian militia in East Timor being armed. 

She also received another eight Walkley awards, including one in 2017 for A Sense of Self, a documentary on her battle with Parkinson’s Disease. 

‘Liz Jackson won nine Walkleys, including the Gold. She served on our board, and as an example to our industry of the best that journalism can be. Fearless, dogged, and with a wonderful sense of humour, she will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with her family and colleagues,’ a Twitter statement from the Walkley Foundation said. 



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