ABC director of news Kate Torney to depart after two decades

The ABC’s director of news, Kate Torney, has announced she will leave the national broadcaster in September to take over as chief executive officer of State Library Victoria.

Chairman James Spigelman and managing director Mark Scott paid tribute to Torney’s 20-year career at the ABC.

"We are very sorry to see Kate leave the ABC,” said Spigelman. “The Board holds her in high regard. She has been a strong leader of the news division and on her watch she has transformed the services on offer to Australians everywhere."

Scott said that Torney “has been a passionate and inspiring leader of the News division in a time of remarkable change”.

“What she has achieved with the news team over the past six years is extraordinary,” he said. “The process of gathering and distributing news has been transformed.

“Kate’s era has also seen a commitment to strong, robust reporting and journalism that has repeatedly won the highest accolades in the industry.”

ABC head of newsgathering Craig McMurtrie will be acting director of news when Torney leaves until the position is filled permanently.