Sarah Ferguson has been announced as Leigh Sales’ replacement on 7.30.
The industry has been abuzz with rumours of who will take over the 7.30 throne. Lara Tingle and David Spears have both been front runners.
Here at B&T, we had high hopes for Tracey Grimshaw to go rogue and snag the role, but Ferguson is a steller choice.
The respected Four Corners journalist Ferguson will be taking on the role, and she took to Twitter to share the good news.
This really is a fantastic time for @abcnews to pursue its mission for the Australian public. Very glad to be part of it with #7.30 https://t.co/nhFv16kyyU
— Sarah Ferguson (@FergusonNews) April 28, 2022
ABC reported that Ferguson released a statement that read: “I’m delighted to take on the presenter role at 7.30.
“Led by Leigh Sales and chief political correspondent Laura Tingle, the 7.30 team has created a powerhouse program, making superb current affairs journalism on the cutting edge of the genre.
“Working in collaboration with the inimitable Laura is irresistible. Adding myself into that mix sounds tremendously rewarding at a time when scrutiny of power is essential when our social structures are undergoing profound change.
“On Leigh’s departure, I’d like to say that her diligence and skill have enormously contributed to Australian journalism. What you don’t see in her calm studio presence is the huge amount of work she does in preparation. It will be a pleasure to take over from such a pro.
“Public service journalism has to deliver for the Australian audience, all day, every day. No one in Australia should ever feel they have no voice.
“It‘s our job to show how public broadcasting can create a place for everyone to come and debate, think deeply, be thrilled, entertained and sometimes provoked. This is the opposite of seeking to polarise in ways we are seeing in media worldwide.”
While it’ll be hard not to miss Sales, it will be exciting to see Ferguson take on the role.
