Kate Torney resigns as ABC Director of News
Kate Torney to depart after 20 years in September.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
The ABC’s Director of News, Kate Torney, will depart ABC in September after 20 years with the broadcaster, to become Chief Executive Officer of State Library Victoria.
She was appointed Director of News in 2009 overseeing significant change including the establishment of News 24 but has also faced severe staff cuts.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Chairman James Spigelman said he was very sorry to see her leave.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Managing Director Mark Scott said, “What she has achieved with the News team over the past six years is extraordinary.
“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.”
ABC Head of Newsgathering Craig McMurtrie will become acting Director of News until the position is filled permanently.
2 Responses
It is deeply worrying when the best and brightest at the ABC feel the need to move on. Who will take over from Mark Scott? Kate Torney was the frontrunner. The News/Caff division has essentially held the ABC schedule together, going from strength to strength, while the television division lurches along without leadership or vision. The new MD has a huge job ahead.
Sad to be losing such good people from the ABC….wonder how much will be left to salvage by the time there is a change of government..