Indira Naidoo new host of Compass

Broadcaster Indira Naidoo has been appointed as the new host of Compass, returning to ABC in March.

Born in apartheid South Africa, Indira grew up in Tasmania, South Australia, England and Zimbabwe. She’s reported for and anchored 7:30 Report, ABC Late Edition News and World News Tonight on SBS.

She recently published her best-selling book ‘The Space Between The Stars’ where she explored the healing power of nature following the death of her sister during the pandemic. For the past 13 years she has also been an ambassador for The Wayside Chapel, Sydney’s homeless crisis centre in Kings Cross.

“It has been through my connection with the Wayside Chapel, meeting a cross section of people from different faiths and backgrounds, that I have begun to explore my own spirituality more deeply,” she said.

While Indira does not identify with any one faith, she’s eager to find meaning and connection.

“That’s what I hope Compass can continue to bring our viewers…. a broad investigation into how to connect more deeply and meaningfully with the land and with each other,“ Indira said.

Compass this year will broaden its focus to newer forms of spirituality and bring a sharper journalistic lens to stories of social justice, an emerging scandal in the Catholic Church and the tricky interplay between sexuality and religion. With appearances from Jeremy Fernandez, Narelda Jacobs, Chloe Hayden and indigenous surfer and artist Billy Bain.

Compass is one of ABC TV’s longest running shows, airing since 1988, with legendary broadcaster Geraldine Doogue departing as host in 2017.

“Geraldine is one of the country’s most incisive journalists and thinkers so I’m delighted she will present a couple of specials for Compass this year,“ said Indira.

The new season begins Sunday, 19 March, 6.30pm on ABC.