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Award-winning journalist and former ABC foreign correspondent Sally Sara will replace Patricia Karvelas as host of Radio National Breakfast in 2025.
Announced on Radio National Breakfast on Friday morning, Sara will be joined each morning at the earlier time slot of 5:30am AEDT by political correspondent Melissa Clarke, business correspondent Peter Ryan and news presenter Luke Siddham Dundon.
“They make a formidable team who will bring great expertise and insights to audiences and be part of setting the national agenda every day,” said ABC’s Director of News Justin Stevens.
As an ABC foreign correspondent, Sara has reported from more than 40 countries including across Africa, Iraq, India and Afghanistan and worked for ABC’s Landline and Foreign Correspondent programs.
Since 2020, Sara has been presenter of The World Today and has extensive experience in audio journalism.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the Radio National Breakfast team. I can’t wait,” Sara said
“I will work hard to engage the audience with stories from across the country and around the world.”
Earlier this month ABC Managing Director David Anderson flagged a focus on audio at the public broadcaster by creating a standalone Audio division, comprising the audio and ABC Listen teams that formerly sat in the Content division.
“This new team reasserts Audio as a vital part of the ABC’s future and a key tenet of our connection with all Australians,” Mr Anderson said.
Audio news and current affairs programs such as Radio National Breakfast, The World Today and Radio National Drive, as well as ABC NewsRadio, remain part of the News division.
Sara takes the reins from Karvelas, who after 10 years with Radio National is moving to a cross-platform role with ABC News presenting Q+A, Afternoon Briefing and podcasts Politics Now and The Party Room.
“Sally is one of the ABC’s most experienced journalists and beloved foreign correspondents,” Karvelas said.
“I’m so happy for the Radio National listeners who will not only receive first class news and analysis every day but also benefit from Sally’s deep international experience at this time of great global upheaval.”
Mr Stevens said that he was excited to welcome the hugely experienced journalist and broadcaster to the role.
“Patricia Karvelas has contributed enormously in this role, following on from Fran Kelly’s 17 years with the program, and Sally will continue a great tradition,” he added.
Sara will present Summer Breakfast from December 16 to January 3.
The complete new line-up will start on air from January 20 every weekday from 5.30am AEDT.
ABC