Kerry O’Brien steps down from ABC’s 7.30 Report after 15 years

Tim Burrowes

September 24, 2010 2:28

7.30 Report veteran Kerry O’Brien is to depart the show, the ABC announced this afternoon.

The statement:

After more than 40 years of reading other people’s press releases, it’s a very strange feeling having to write one about myself, but here goes.

I have informed the ABC that I intend to leave the 7.30 Report in December after 15 very rewarding years as the program’s Editor and Presenter.

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Tim Burrowes

Tim Burrowes is the publisher of Mumbrella and Unmade. He co-founded Mumbrella in 2008 and sister title Unmade in 2021. He's worked in the UK, Middle East, Asia & Australia and has specialised in writing about the communications world for the last 25 years. He wrote the book Media Unmade, published in 2021, and became the presenter of MediaLand on ABC Radio National in 2025.

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7 COMMENTS

Scott 24 Sep 10

First Malcolm Douglas, now this. Crazy times!

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Ash Ghebranious 24 Sep 10

Wow. Well it was going to happen eventually. Just hoping that you find your niche in the media somewhere.

All good things come to an end. And some begin again renewed.

Thanks for your time Mr O’Brien and I wish you the best.

And don’t be scared to blog and tweet away! It may not be the same, but it will be something 🙂

All the best Kerry to you and your family.

Ash

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Sarah 24 Sep 10

Imagine some of the stories he would be able to tell! What an extensive career! Good on him, best of luck!

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Wayne MAnsfield 24 Sep 10

Kerry O’brien… all the best…

I think you are one of the few commentators who can be accused of having being biased towards both side… well sone.

My favourite moment:

“Mr Hawke… what does it feel like to have blood on your hand…”

To which Bob threw a tizz

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Chris 24 Sep 10

It was inevitable, but it’s still a shame to see Mr O’Brien call it quits after such an extended period. I was sort of hoping he would stay in the role of interrogator/journalist until he keeled over and died, hopefully decades down the track!

Also Wayne, that was Richard Carleton getting skewered by Bob Hawke. Kerry managed to conduct his interviews far better for the most part as far as I’m aware.

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Brendan 27 Sep 10

Sorry Kerry, please don’t take this as an attack on you, but about time! I can’t believe that the ABC supports these shows with their aged formats for so long! Please ABC management; use the departure of Kerry O’Brien as the start of some fresh programming. Shows that need an urgent overhaul include The 7.30 Report, Stateline, Four Corners, Lateline and Lateline Business. While shows that need urgent removal include Foreign Correspondent, The Gruen Transfer, United States of Tara, Collectors and At The Movies.

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Oliver 27 Sep 10

Brendan, I think you’ll find all the children’s programming you need on ABC3.

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