Veteran ABC journalist Paul Murphy dies, aged 77

Veteran ABC journalist Paul Murphy has died aged 77, marking the end of almost 50 years in the public spotlight.

Paul Murphy in 1996.

Veteran ABC journalist Paul Murphy has died aged 77, marking the end of almost 50 years in the public spotlight.

The gun interviewer and public figure joined the ABC in the 1960s, becoming a political reporter in the Canberra press gallery, before joining the ABC TV program This Day Tonight.

Murphy was best known for hosting the program before taking charge of its replacement, Nationwide.

Later he presented ABC radio’s PM and AM for a decade before becoming the inaugural host of SBS’s current affairs program Dateline.

On the first episode of the long-running program Murphy covered such historic events as the attempted killing of British prime minister Margaret Thatcher by the IRA.

Murphy also made headlines when interviewing former governor-general Sir John Kerr in 1975 after the dismissal of prime minister Gough Whitlam.

Speaking in 2009, Murphy nominated the final showdown in caucus between Bob Hawke and Paul Keating that saw PM stay on air for three hours as his most memorable moment in journalism.

“It was a huge story because the ALP was deadlocked. We were on air for three hours. It was the shootout at the OK corral,” he said.

Murphy’s lifetime of achievement was recognised after being made a member of the Order of Australia in 1994 and awarded the Walkley for outstanding contribution to journalism in 2000.

ABC managing director David Anderson said Murphy was an important part of the history of the ABC and a stalwart of Australian journalism.

“Paul was a fine journalist and a wonderful friend and colleague to many,” he said.

Murphy was joined in journalism by his brother Justin Murphy, who still works at the ABC.

ABC News director Gaven Morris said news of Murphy’s passing highlighted his legacy.

“His unforgettable voice, his passion for a good yarn and his dedication to broadcasting will be greatly missed by so many, “ he said.

“The enormous contribution of Paul Murphy and others of his generation helped make ABC news what it is today.

“He had integrity, authority and was a natural communicator. He also had great warmth, making him as well-liked by colleagues and audiences as he was respected.”

ABC presenter Heather Ewart farewelled Murphy, who she “had the pleasure to work with” in the 1980s.

“He was a consummate professional with the golden authoritative voice on ABC PM who always had incisive and probing political questions,” she said.