After nearly 12 years as the host of the ABC’s current affairs program 7.30, Leigh Sales has announced her retirement. Sales stated that she will leave the show in June, following the federal election, but would remain with the ABC.
“I have a strong feeling that it’s time to hand the baton over to the next runner in the race and take a rest,” Sales stated on television tonight.
“At the ABC, the end of an election cycle feels like a good opportunity to start working on something fresh.”
“Five prime ministers ago,” Sales remarked, she was appointed to the post of 7.30 anchor in December 2010.
“I hope it’s clear that I’ve always approached this job with one purpose in mind: to ask frank questions of those in positions of power without fear or favor, questions that a fair-minded, reasonable person watching at home might ask if they were in my shoes.
“I’ve attempted to silence dissenters, call out nonsense, hold powerful people accountable, expose lies, incompetence, and exaggeration in all political parties and on all issues, and reveal facts, even if they’re unpopular or uncomfortable.
“Every every time I’ve sat at the desk, I’ve tried my hardest on behalf of you at home to achieve that.” In 1995, the ABC hired the Walkley Award-winning journalist. She’s worked as a state political reporter in NSW, a national security journalist in Washington, and a Lateline host.
