Host David Speers is to move into an “expanded” role within the ABC’s news division as national political leader, just weeks after the broadcaster controversially let political editor Andrew Probyn go as part of a important restructuring aimed at reaching the digital public.
The announcement came on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of the first Insiders show to be broadcast from its new studios in Canberra on Sunday. The ABC’s flagship political program filmed in the nation’s capital for the first time last weekend to a live audience at National Press Clubwhich attracted 589,000 viewers, according to TV measurement numbers of VOICE.
In her new role, Speers will have a “bigger” presence in the ABC’s federal political coverage, joining 7.30 chief political correspondent Laura Tingle in a more pronounced role throughout the week. Crikey understands that the expanded presence will not come with changes in official roles.
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“It’s great to have the show that deals with the nation’s politics now at the center of the action,” Speers said in a statement.
“As Australians grapple with very important issues around the cost of living, housing, climate change, Indigenous voice and many others, the Insiders team will be on the ground to help them navigate how policies and policies are affecting the nation and people.lives”.
The Insiders host joined the ABC as Barrie Cassidy’s replacement in 2019 from Sky News, where he spent the better part of two decades leading the network’s federal political coverage from Canberra.
Insiders’ move to Canberra also marks a homecoming for Speers, who moved his family to Canberra in 2020 from Melbourne, where Insiders had been based until this month since the show launched with Cassidy as a host.
“David Speers is a well-respected political journalist and with his Insiders responsibilities now based in Canberra full-time, we have an opportunity to better utilize his extensive experience for the rest of the week,” said head of ABC News’ Justin Stevens said in a statement.
The role is expected to have at least some crossover with that of recently axed political editor Andrew Probyn, whose exit caught journalists and politicians off guard in the Canberra press gallery and sparked a flurry of criticism .
The ABC ruled out any link between its recent restructuring, Probyn’s subsequent departure and Speers’ appointment to his new perch in its announcement on Wednesday. An ABC spokesperson declined to comment on a potential crossover between the two roles.
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“This announcement is independent of recent proposed changes by the ABC to the Canberra bureau and to ABC News, designed to increase our ability to serve digital and broadcast audiences. Consultation on these proposals continues,” he said the ABC
Probyn’s role as political editor was dropped by ABC management among the organisation’s 120 roles last month as part of the biggest organizational shake-up the broadcaster has seen in more than five years
The ABC’s Parliamentary Office, according to a proposed change seen by Crikey, previously operated in an “outdated and top-heavy structure” too focused on linear TV, recommending that Probyn and a TV editor be axed in favor of three new digital and social media. content creation roles.
In a statement last month, ABC CEO David Anderson said the launch of the broadcaster’s new strategy and subsequent layoffs came as a result of a reinvestment effort.
“Along with media organizations here and abroad, the CBA is operating in an environment that is subject to inflationary pressures,” Anderson said.
“We also need to increase investment in digital transformation to improve our efficiency and meet the needs of the public.”
Will the rise of David Spears fill the void left by Andrew Probyn? Let us know your thoughts by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.
