Journalist Sally Sara (pictured) has been announced as the new presenter of Radio National Breakfast in 2025, with audiences hearing the news on the program this morning from outgoing presenter Patricia Karvelas.
Sara has reported from more than 40 countries as an ABC foreign correspondent, including across Africa, Iraq, India and Afghanistan, and worked for Landline and Foreign Correspondent. She has extensive experience in audio journalism and since 2020 has been presenter of The World Today.
“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.”
Joining Sara on Radio National Breakfast will be political correspondent Melissa Clarke, business correspondent Peter Ryan and news presenter Luke Siddham Dundon.
Breakfast team will include political correspondent Melissa Clarke, business correspondent Peter Ryan and news presenter Luke Siddham Dundon.
Melissa Clarke is the ABC’s national affairs editor, based at Parliament House in Canberra. She has worked in the parliamentary press gallery for 16 years and has been the ABC’s deputy editor, politics and political correspondent for News Breakfast, AM and the 7pm News bulletins.
Peter Ryan is the ABC’s senior business correspondent with almost 40 years’ experience in journalism. He joins Radio National Breakfast after a long career with flagship ABC programs such as AM, The World Today and PM and is a former ABC business editor and Washington bureau chief.
Luke Siddham Dundon has been a familiar voice on Radio National for five years, bringing listeners the latest news on breakfast and filling in as host on Life Matters and The World Today. He has also worked on News Breakfast and Insiders.
After 10 years with Radio National, Patricia Karvelas is moving to a cross-platform role with ABC News presenting Q+A, Afternoon Briefing and podcasts Politics Now and The Party Room, as well as writing analysis for ABC News online.
“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.”
ABC director, news Justin Stevens said: “Sally Sara is a hugely experienced journalist and broadcaster and it’s wonderful to welcome her to this key role on Radio National Breakfast.
“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.
“Sally Sara, Peter Ryan, Melissa Clarke and Luke Siddham Dundon make a formidable team who will bring great expertise and insights to audiences and be part of setting the national agenda every day.”
Sally Sara will present Summer Breakfast from 16 December to 3 January. The complete new line-up will start on air from 20 January, with the program changing its start time to 5.30am AEDT.