David Speers appointed ABC News political lead after Andrew Probyn departure

Stevens said Speers would take on a wider role in the broadcaster’s weekly political coverage, outside Insiders’ Sunday slot.

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“David Speers is a hugely respected political journalist and with his Insiders responsibilities now based in Canberra full-time we have the opportunity to better utilise his vast experience during the rest of the week,” Stevens said.

Commenting on the appointment, Probyn said Speers was a good friend and he was “delighted” for him.

“He will do an excellent job in his new role and I wish him the very best.”

Probyn, a two-time Press Gallery Journalist of the Year, said he was “gobsmacked” by ABC’s decision to remove the political editor role when his departure was announced.

“I struggle to understand the direction the ABC is going in that it could consider the role of political editor not needed,” he said.

Staff from the broadcaster’s Canberra bureau expressed their anger over the decision to Stevens and deputy news director Gavin Fang in a conference call a day later.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland later requested a briefing from ABC management over its decisions, which it said were part of the broadcaster’s wider digital transformation strategy. The federal government has promised the ABC $6 billion in funding over the next five years.

“The minister has requested a briefing from the ABC management in regards to the ABC five-year plan and the announcement this week. This is a very difficult time for any individual whose role may be impacted by the changes,” a spokesperson for the minister said at the time.