Leigh Sales’ 7.30 replacement announced

Long-standing 7.30 host Leigh Sales’ replacement has finally been announced, with the TV veteran set to step down after the federal election.

Leigh Sales’ 7.30 replacement has officially been announced by the ABC.

Despite reports Laura Tingle or David Speers were frontrunners for the coveted TV gig, Four Corners journalist and multi-award-winning presenter Sarah Ferguson has been revealed as the new 7.30 host.

The 56-year-old, who is currently based in the US working for the ABC, will take over the reins when Sales steps down in June after the federal election.

“I’m delighted to take on the presenter role at 7.30,” Ferguson said in a statement.

Leigh is stepping down in June after the federal election.

ABC Four Corners Journalist Sarah Ferguson is the new 7.30 host. Picture: John Appleyard

She added: “Led by Leigh Sales and chief political correspondent Laura Tingle, the 7.30 team has created a powerhouse program, making superb current affairs journalism on the cutting edge of the genre. Working in collaboration with the inimitable Laura is irresistible. Adding myself into that mix sounds tremendously rewarding at a time when scrutiny of power is essential, when our social structures are undergoing profound change.

“On Leigh’s departure, I’d like to say that her diligence and skill have made an enormous contribution to Australian journalism. What you don’t see in her calm studio presence is the huge amount of work she does in preparation. It will be a pleasure to take over from such a pro.

“Public service journalism has to deliver for the Australian audience, all day, every day. No one in Australia should ever feel they have no voice. It‘s our job to show how public broadcasting can create a place for everyone to come and debate, think deeply, be thrilled, entertained and sometimes provoked. This is the opposite of seeking to polarise in ways we are seeing in media worldwide.”

ABC journalist Sarah Ferguson is replacing Leigh Sales on 7.30.

Sales, 48, announced on-air in February that after 12 years she was quitting her role as host.

“There’s nothing wrong, other than I just feel a strong sense of it being time to pass the baton to the next runner in the race and to take a break,” she said.

“At the end of an election cycle feels like a good time to move on to something new at the ABC. I hope it’s been obvious that I’ve always approached this job with one goal – and that is to ask frank questions of people in power, without fear or favour, that a fair-minded, reasonable person with some common sense watching at home might like to ask if they were sitting in my position.”

Ferguson, who is married to Australian political journalist Tony Jones, has become known for her investigative political documentaries including 2015’s The Killing Season.

She was nominated for a record four Walkley Awards in 2007.