Leigh Sales has announced she is stepping down as presenter of the ABC's current affairs program, 7.30, after almost 12 years in the role.
Sales said she would finish at the program in June, after the federal election, but would stay with the ABC.
"I feel a strong sense of it being time to pass the baton to the next runner in the race and to take a break," Sales said on air tonight.
"The end of an election cycle feels like a good time to move onto something new at the ABC."
Sales was appointed to the role of 7.30 anchor in December 2010, "five prime ministers ago", she said.
"I hope it's been obvious that I've always approached this job with one goal: 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.
"I've tried to shut down wafflers, call out bullshit, hold powerful people to account, expose lies, incompetence and exaggeration in all political parties and on all issues, and present facts, even when they're unpopular or inconvenient.
"I have truly tried my absolute hardest on behalf of you at home to do that every single time I've sat at the desk."
The Walkley Award-winning journalist joined the ABC in 1995. Her roles have included NSW state political reporter, national security correspondent, Washington correspondent and Lateline presenter.
'One of the toughest and most highly scrutinised' jobs in media
ABC managing director David Anderson described Sales as an exceptional journalist.
"Leigh's integrity, intellect and courage are evident in everything she does," he said.
"Our audiences have always seen Leigh as a journalist and broadcaster who challenges her subjects and asks the questions we all want answers to. I'm really looking forward to the next stage of her career here at the ABC."
John Lyons, ABC's head of investigative and in-depth journalism, said Sales "is, without question, one of the fairest and most decent people in journalism".
"Her editorial leadership has inspired both her colleagues and the millions of Australians who have watched both 7.30 and the ABC's federal election coverage over those years."
ABC News's acting director, Gavin Fang, said: "We would love to have her stay in that role, but it's in Leigh's nature to seek new challenges, and it's exciting for everyone that she'll turn her immense talent to new areas."
"The [7.30] presenter job is one of the most important in the Australian media — and one of the toughest and most highly scrutinised."
Executive producer of 7.30, Justin Stevens, said Sales "leaves this role at the top of her game".
"Year after year, she has carried the weight and responsibility of fronting 7.30 with fairness, independence, impartiality and a forthright questioning of those in power, without fear or favour — and Australian democracy is the better for it.
"Leigh is also an immensely supportive colleague and friend. We'll treasure the next four months before she starts a new chapter at the ABC."
Most memorable interviews
Sales said that, of all the interviews she had done at 7.30, one of the most memorable was with Matthew Low, whose wife was killed in the Dreamworld accident, "and who, somehow, found the strength down the track to do an interview to try to ensure no other family would ever have to go through what his did".
"People like Matthew are the ones who really stick with you," she said.
"Every time you interview somebody whose life has been devastated, you feel terrified by what life has dished up to them and incredibly humbled by how they've met that with strength and clarity and dignity. You don't forget it.
"You do remember some of the celebrities of course. Interviewing Paul McCartney and getting a hug from him is one of the best days of my life.
"In all the years I've anchored, I've never had more viewers come up to me in public than after that interview to say how much joy it gave them, and it was so beautiful that people felt like they had shared in that experience with me."
Sales described 7.30 as an "incredibly important program".
"There is no other show that does what 7.30 does, night after night. I am so proud of what our team does and I know the program is going to keep going from strength to strength, as it always has.
"I'm looking forward to having a good break and then figuring out what I do next at the ABC."
