The ABC’s Director of News, Kate Torney, has announced she will leave the national broadcaster in September to take over as Chief Executive Officer of State Library Victoria.

Chairman James Spigelman and Managing Director Mark Scott paid tribute to Ms Torney’s 20-year career at the ABC.

“We are very sorry to see Kate leave the ABC,” said Mr Spigelman. “The Board holds her in high regard. She has been a strong leader of the News Division and on her watch she has transformed the services on offer to Australians everywhere.

“As a former Chair of the National Library, I am confident that she will make an outstanding contribution to the public services delivered by Australia’s library community.”

Mr Scott said that Ms Torney “has been a passionate and inspiring leader of the News division in a time of remarkable change”.

“What she has achieved with the News team over the past six years is extraordinary,” he said. “The process of gathering and distributing news has been transformed.

“Kate’s era has also seen a commitment to strong, robust reporting and journalism that has repeatedly won the highest accolades in the industry.”

Since being appointed Director of News in 2009 Ms Torney has reshaped the ABC’s news gathering and delivery to meet the changing needs of the Australian audience, while maintaining its tradition of delivering world-class current affairs and long-form journalism.

Ms Torney said: “For 20 years I have had the great pleasure of working with the industry’s best and brightest — smart, creative and passionate people who are deeply committed to serving audiences and determined to uphold the journalistic excellence which underpins the ABC’s reputation as the nation’s most trusted news and current affairs service.

“Barely a day has passed where I haven’t recognised what a privilege it is to work in journalism and how proud I am to work at the ABC.

“To Mark Scott, thank you for the support you have offered me over the past six years and for the leadership and vision you have brought to the ABC. It has been an honour to work alongside you.”

ABC Head of Newsgathering Craig McMurtrie will be acting Director of News when Ms Torney leaves until the position is filled permanently.

For more information

Sally Jackson

Media manager ABC News and Current Affairs

02 8333 2961