Veteran journalist David Marr to replace Phillip Adams at ABC Radio National Late Night Live

Veteran journalist David Marr will take over hosting duties at ABC Radio National’s Late Night Live from Phillip Adams who steps down after 33 years in the role.

David Marr is stepping into Phillip Adams’ shoes after 33 years of gentle intellectual persuasion by the veteran presenter on the ABC’s Late Night Live.

Marr, whose latest book, Killing for Country: A Family Story, reveals how his forebears led police massacres, says he is “honoured and terrified.”

The terror of killings by native police led by Marr’s ancestors might have the same effect on Radio National listeners.

“I’m honoured and terrified,” Marr said of the upcoming gig.

“It’s going to be a ball.”

Author and journalist David Marr credit Lorrie Graham

Marr is known for his bravery as a journalist who believes in telling it how it is, at least in his uncompromising opinion.

Thought of as the thinking woman’s crumpet, Marr has written probing biographies of Australian Nobel prize-winning author Patrick White and former Chief Justice Sir Garfield Barwick.

RN manager Dina Rosendorff says Marr is “the right combination of intellect, curiosity” and “a wicked sense of humour” and will take up the role until the end of the year.

Phillip Adams final broadcast will be on June 27.

Adams’, last broadcast is on June 27. He will be sorely missed by the many who would drift off to sleep listening to his soothing intelligent musings. Adams announced his departure in February, saying “now, nudging 85, I’ve decided it’s time to retire from Aunty and give my beloved listeners a break.” Marr starts with Late Night Live on July 15.

Marr and conservative commentator Gerard Henderson often faced off on Insiders on ABC television.

They were veterans of the “culture wars” while Marr has spent the past five years researching his family’s role in Australia’s 19th century “frontier wars.”

He makes no excuses for the role his great-great-grandfather Reg Uhr and Uhr’s brother D’Arcy played in what Marr describes as “the bloodiest campaign on the Queensland frontier.”

Aunty’s radio wars may be about to break out.