Adele Ferguson


Adele Ferguson is an Australian investigative journalist, best known for her series of exposés of malfeasance in the franchising, aged care, and financial services sectors in Australia which have resulted in major inquries including the Hayne Royal Commission.
After graduating from the University of Adelaide with degrees in economics and arts, Ferguson began a cadetship at The Advertiser newspaper. She then worked at Business Review Weekly magazine as senior business correspondent, and as business writer for The Australian newspaper. In 2009, she joined Fairfax Media as senior business writer and columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
In July 2012, Ferguson released Gina Rinehart: The Untold Story of the Richest Woman in the World, an unauthorised biography of mining magnate Gina Rinehart. Rinehart's lawyers issued a subpoena for Ferguson to produce source material relating to Rinehart's son, John Hancock. The subpoena was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Western Australia, with Rinehart ordered to pay Ferguson's legal costs.
Since 2014, Ferguson has worked on several joint investigations with the ABC's Four Corners program. The first, "Banking Bad", described "unconscionable banking practices" in the Commonwealth Bank and other Australian banks, and won the Gold Walkley award. Subsequent collaborations alleged wage fraud in the 7-Eleven, Domino's Pizza, Retail Food Group and Caltex franchises.

Awards and honours

In 2014, Ferguson won the Gold Walkley award for their story "Banking Bad" about the financial planning and advice services of the Commonwealth Bank.
Ferguson was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Australia Day Honours, for significant service to the print and broadcast media as a journalist and business commentator.
Banking Bad was shortlisted for the 2020 Davitt Award for best nonfiction crime book and best debut crime book.

Publications