Illustrious journalist and TV reporter Kerry O’Brien is leaving ABC’s investigative program Four Corners.
O’Brien, a journo of more than 50 years, has been involved as a presenter of Four Corners – which recently revealed the investigation into the underpayment of 7-Eleven staff – for the past five years.
In a statement, O’Brien said the move is not a retirement for him. “I have been extremely proud to be associated with Four Corners for the past five years,” he said. “No other brand has been as enduring or as respected in Australian television and I have felt enormously privileged to be a part of it all again, albeit in a part-time capacity.
“This is not retirement for me. I have more than enough to get on with. It’s taken me this long to write my first book so I figure I’d better start now if I want to complete a second. I also have other ideas, which may offer the opportunity to work again with the ABC.”
Managing director Mark Scott, who will step down in 2016, added: “The ABC audience has known, trusted and respected Kerry O’Brien for decades. In recent years at Four Corners he was able to synthesise important and often complex stories in a way that helped audiences stay and appreciate the very best in Australian journalism.
“It has been a golden era at Four Corners, and Kerry has been a vital part of the team.”
O’Brien has been with the ABC for 26 years, the last 26 as a national current affairs anchor. He had been with Four Corners since 2011.
Sally Neighbour, executive producer of Four Corners, tweeted out the news.
The incomparable @KerryOBrien is leaving #4Corners. Farewell Kerry, you’re a legend! From all of us @4corners pic.twitter.com/uUmitNRIZr
— Sally Neighbour (@neighbour_s) November 6, 2015
The end of an era as @KerryOBrien leaves #4Corners. And what a fabulous era it’s been! pic.twitter.com/pz4LmwYfp8
— Sally Neighbour (@neighbour_s) November 6, 2015
The ABC has also pulled together some of O’Brien’s ‘best bits’.
