Annette Sharp: Leigh Sales copped constant misogynistic and hateful abuse

Leigh Sales’ decision to step down from 7.30 comes six months after her mental health was flagged as a top priority by ABC executives, writes Annette Sharp.

Leigh Sales’ decision to step down from the ABC’s flagship news program 7.30 comes six months after Sales’ mental health was flagged as a top priority by ABC executives.

On Friday, ABC sources said the past year had been an epic personal struggle for the journalist, whose appointment to the job in December 2010 — alongside political reporter Chris Uhlmann in what was initially promoted as a shared, though poorly defined, role — gave rise to early claims that not everyone in the ABC’s executive ranks was in full support of Sales’ appointment.

Leigh Sales and Chris Uhlmann in an early promotional shot for 7.30.

Many believed Uhlmann to be the superior candidate to replace outgoing 7.30 presenter and ABC stalwart Kerry O’Brien.

O’Brien’s politics had, for 20 years, been in perfect alignment with the national broadcaster, and many at the ABC feared — though apparently not then-managing director Mark Scott, a former Liberal Party staffer and Fairfax Media boss — that Sales would be too Liberal-leaning for the shop.

While internally this criticism plagued Sales, externally ABC audiences would as often express the reverse bias. As Sales overcame early criticism and her star began to soar in 2012, Uhlmann announced plans to step down from the program in 2013.

He later jumped ship to Nine Media, where in 2017 he replaced legendary political editor Laurie Oakes.

In an intriguing quirk of timing, Uhlmann last week scooped Sales by revealing — three days prior to her retirement announcement — his intention to leave Nine later this year.

Since taking the role, Sales has been a lightning rod for misogynistic, sexist, hateful and threatening abuse.

Sales has been at the helm of 7.30 for more than 11 years.

After being labelled a “cow” by Liberal strategist Grahame Morris in 2012 following a purportedly “too tough” interview with opposition leader Tony Abbott (Morris apologised), in 2014 she would be rounded on for being too “soft” on Abbott, by then prime minister.

In 2015 she would enrage Liberal and Labor voters alike during an interview with newly elected prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after she apologetically yielded to Turnbull following what many saw as a “flirtatious” encounter.

Hoping to silence a furious Twitter mob, Sales showed some humour in entreating them to employ a template she had designed to provide feedback: “To save time, please save this handy template for use in commentating future #abc730interviews!” she tweeted.

“Leigh Sales went too hard/too soft in her interview last night and she is a left-wing stooge/right-wing fascist. Bring back Kerry O’Brien/Chris Uhlmann/that guy who plays the piano with the puppet.”

Having endured the difficult birth of her second child in 2014 and the end of her marriage in 2016, the pandemic would bring new tensions in 2020.

Sales would first isolate with the sniffles, later with the virus.

Sales will finish up at 7.30 mid-year and hopes to stay with the ABC.

However, it was her February 2021 interview with Victorian Labor Premier Dan Andrews that would mark the beginning of the end of her 11½-year tenure at 7.30.

After revealing she was sceptical about the efficacy of short-term lockdowns, Victorians piled on to accuse the Sydneysider of being too hard on Andrews.

As the trolling intensified, Sales called it out as coming from a leftist faction, notably Andrews’ supporters, who might generally be considered traditional ABC viewers. Industry sources last week said the comment polarised ABC staff.

In September, following an unexplained absence in July and August, Sales became the subject of speculation that her charmed run was at an end.

“She has toughed it out, but it has all hurt,’’ one associate said yesterday.

Sales will finish up mid-year on 7.30 and has expressed hopes of assuming a new role at the ABC.

BIG FIELD RACING FOR THE HOT SEAT

Six veteran reporters have emerged as early favourites to replace Leigh Sales at 7.30.

DAVID SPEERS: The former political editor of Sky News. At 47, Speers, host of the ABC’s The Insiders, is the youngster of the group of early contenders.

CHRIS UHLMANN: Favoured to replace outgoing 7.30 host Kerry O’Brien in 2010, Uhlmann, 61, last week declared he was ready to quit as Nine’s political editor when his contract ends this year.

David Speers is a contender for Sales’ job.

Will Sarah Ferguson return from the US.

LAURA TINGLE: The daughter of John Tingle, ex-Shooters, Fishers, Farmers party pollie. Tingle, 60, has been holding the fort for Sales during her recent absence and is well-liked by ABC execs.

SARAH FERGUSON: Having moved to the US in 2021 to work as a “special reporter” for the ABC, the broadcaster is under pressure to bring the 56-year-old back in a regular high-profile role.

Laura Tingle has been hosting 7.30 in Sales’ absence.

Fran Kelly has a large and loyal following.

FRAN KELLY: Kelly retired from Radio National last year after 17 years but, as a former 7.30 political editor with a large following, ABC execs would be mad not to consider the 63-year-old.

TONY JONES: Some maintain the ABC is yet to recover from the departure of former Q&A host and veteran reporter Tony Jones from the ABC airwaves. Might it pair the 66-year-old with wife Ferguson for a double act on 7.30?

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