Guardian Australia has made another key signing with the appointment of award-winning Australian journalist David Marr to its editorial roster.

Marr, widely regarded as one of Australia’s most influential commentators, will be joining the Guardian's digital edition in Australia, which will launch later this year.

A recipient of four Walkley awards for journalism, Marr is a well-regarded author, biographer and commentator, writing on a range of subjects including politics, censorship, the media and the arts.

He started out as a writer for the Bulletin magazine before moving to the National Times where he became editor in 1981.

Marr has also reported for ABC television’s Four Corners, presented for Radio National and hosted ABC’s Media Watch programme. Most recently he worked at the Sydney Morning Herald, leaving in July last year.

His books include biographies of Sir Garfield Barwick, the nobel laureate Patrick White, and more recently biographical studies of former prime ministers John Howard and Kevin Rudd.

Marr said: “Discovering the Guardian in London in the 1970s was one of the reasons I decided to become a journalist. I’ve been reading it in print and online ever since and I’m looking forward to writing for one of the news organisations I most admire.”

Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief of Guardian Australia, added: "I have long admired David Marr as an immensely talented writer who can turn his hand to anything. His deep insights, journalistic skill and stylistic brilliance make him a thrilling addition to Guardian Australia."