Major job change for ABC star David Speers
David Speers will take on an expanded role at the ABC, hot on the heels of the broadcaster making its celebrated political editor redundant.
Speers, whose duties are currently limited to hosting Insider on a Sunday morning, is being promoted to federal political lead – a new role and nothing to do with Andrew Probyn’s shock departure last month, the ABC insists.
In another change, this weekend’s episode of Insiders will be presented from Canberra after relocating from Melbourne.
“It’s terrific to have the program that’s all about the nation’s politics now based right in the centre of the action,” Speers said in a statement.
“I’m also really pleased to have an expanded presence within the bureau.
“The ABC Parliament House team is a powerhouse of incredibly talented and dedicated journalists. It’s a privilege to be part of this team and I look forward to working even more closely with everyone.”
This Sunday’s episode will be the first from the recently upgraded ABC Canberra studio after a huge logistical effort over the past two weeks.
Justin Stevens, news director at the ABC, said Speers will have a bigger presence in political coverage throughout the week and across all programs.
He will be one of the bureau’s most senior figures, alongside chief political correspondent Laura Tingle.
“David Speers is a hugely respected political journalist and with his Insiders responsibilities now based in Canberra full-time we have the opportunity to better utilise his vast experience during the rest of the week,” Stevens said.
Insiders moves to Canberra.
The official statement from the ABC, which led with a celebration of a recently renovated Canberra studio, which was “a huge logistical effort over the past two weeks”, came with a clear disclaimer.
“This announcement is a separate initiative to the ABC’s recent proposed changes to the Canberra bureau and across ABC News, designed to increase our capacity to serve digital as well as broadcast audiences. Consultation on those proposals is continuing,” it read.
That’s a reference to the controversial decision to move on Probyn, a two-time winner of Press Gallery Journalist of the Year and a highly respected reporter.
When told of his redundancy in mid-June, he took to Twitter to say he was “gob-smacked”. The decision drew the ire of the media establishment and some senior political figures, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Have your say