Kerry O’Brien steps down from ABC’s 7.30 Report after 15 years
7.30 Report veteran Kerry O’Brien is to depart the show, the ABC announced this afternoon.
The statement:
After more than 40 years of reading other people’s press releases, it’s a very strange feeling having to write one about myself, but here goes.
I have informed the ABC that I intend to leave the 7.30 Report in December after 15 very rewarding years as the program’s Editor and Presenter.
Quite simply it’s time for a new chapter. I’ve been in the pressure cooker of daily current affairs hosting and interviewing for 21 straight years including six years at Lateline, and it’s been something of a marathon.
It has been an absolute privilege to work with some of the most talented and dedicated professionals in the business, and I leave with confidence that the 7.30 Report will be at the heart of ABC News and Current Affairs coverage for years to come. This has been a great year for the program, and it’s good to leave on a high note.
I would also like to thank an extremely generous audience, including those who may have occasionally thrown a shoe at the screen.
I’ll begin a new association with the ABC in the new year, but one that will allow me time to take a breath and consider what else I might want to do with the rest of my life.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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First Malcolm Douglas, now this. Crazy times!
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Wow. Well it was going to happen eventually. Just hoping that you find your niche in the media somewhere.
All good things come to an end. And some begin again renewed.
Thanks for your time Mr O’Brien and I wish you the best.
And don’t be scared to blog and tweet away! It may not be the same, but it will be something 🙂
All the best Kerry to you and your family.
Ash
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Imagine some of the stories he would be able to tell! What an extensive career! Good on him, best of luck!
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Kerry O’brien… all the best…
I think you are one of the few commentators who can be accused of having being biased towards both side… well sone.
My favourite moment:
“Mr Hawke… what does it feel like to have blood on your hand…”
To which Bob threw a tizz
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It was inevitable, but it’s still a shame to see Mr O’Brien call it quits after such an extended period. I was sort of hoping he would stay in the role of interrogator/journalist until he keeled over and died, hopefully decades down the track!
Also Wayne, that was Richard Carleton getting skewered by Bob Hawke. Kerry managed to conduct his interviews far better for the most part as far as I’m aware.
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Sorry Kerry, please don’t take this as an attack on you, but about time! I can’t believe that the ABC supports these shows with their aged formats for so long! Please ABC management; use the departure of Kerry O’Brien as the start of some fresh programming. Shows that need an urgent overhaul include The 7.30 Report, Stateline, Four Corners, Lateline and Lateline Business. While shows that need urgent removal include Foreign Correspondent, The Gruen Transfer, United States of Tara, Collectors and At The Movies.
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Brendan, I think you’ll find all the children’s programming you need on ABC3.
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