Tale of Territory teen shot by police wins book award

In a remarkable win for investigative journalism, Kate Wild's book "The Red House" has been awarded the non-fiction category at the prestigious 2026 Prime Minister's Literary Awards. The book delves into the tragic and controversial shooting of 19-year-old Aboriginal man Kumanjayi Walker by a Northern Territory police officer in 2019.

Wild, a seasoned journalist, had a strong sense from the beginning of the significance of the case, having lived in the Northern Territory and witnessing the potential response from the nation. Her five-year research process involved seeking out freelance gigs, writing grants, and spending considerable time in remote communities to accurately portray the events and underlying issues.

The story, which highlights systemic racism and the history of violence in Australia, was ultimately published by Allen & Unwin, who appointed Aboriginal editors to assist with the manuscript. The Red House earned Wild an $80,000 prize as one of the six winners at the ceremony held at the National Library of Australia.