It’s been a rough run for Nine’s 60 Minutes, largely due to the program getting involved in the botched kidnapping of children in Lebanon with their Australian mother, and a subsequent stint in jail/full review launched into the situation. And now 60 Minutes journalist Michael Usher has jumped ship to join rival network Seven.

Usher will join the news and public affairs division, as well as heading up the upcoming news special series, Seven News Investigates. Usher brings with him more than 20 years’ experience as an award-winning reporter.

In an internal email to staff this morning, and this afternoon publicly, Seven network director of news and public affairs Craig McPherson announced the move.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to have Michael joining Australia’s number one news team. Widely regarded as one of the country’s foremost investigative journalists, his passion and experience will further strengthen our dedicated team,” he said.

“Michael will be instrumental in future news programming including presenting the Seven News Investigates series currently in production.”

Image: Nine