The ABC has announced new roles in 2025 for leading political and public affairs journalists Patricia Karvelas and Greg Jennett.
As announced earlier this month, Patricia Karvelas is farewelling Radio National after 10 years to take up an expanded role for ABC NEWS across platforms. In addition to presenting Q+A and weekly political wrap The Party Room, and writing analysis for ABC NEWS online, in the new year she will take over as presenter of Afternoon Briefing each weekday on ABC iview and the ABC NEWS Channel.
After presenting Afternoon Briefing for the past three years, Greg Jennett is moving into a senior role in the Northbourne, Canberra newsroom presenting the ACT 7PM News from Sunday to Thursday and conducting Stateline interviews. He will also work with the Canberra Parliament House team on the federal election coverage.
After a terrific two years in the chair, including his key role in this month’s ACT election coverage, current ACT 7PM presenter James Glenday will be going on to an exciting new project next year. More details of that will be announced in coming weeks.
Afternoon Briefing, which Karvelas launched in 2018 and Jennett has led since he returned from the ABC’s Washington Bureau in 2022, continues to go from strength to strength. Its interviews with key decision makers and stakeholders routinely break news and set the agenda on politics and national and global affairs.
Karvelas will also launch a new ABC NEWS politics podcast, Politics Now, which will bring the best political analysis to the podcasting space via the ABC Listen app. Politics Now will be daily during the federal election campaign and can publish additional episodes any time major political stories are breaking.
Patricia Karvelas: “I’m so excited to be anchoring a daily national affairs and politics program, especially at a time when Australians are seeking not just accountability but explanation of really complex issues. Afternoon Briefing has become appointment viewing and is a key part of the news agenda daily.
“Being able to launch a podcast which is fast and responsive and engaging on moving political stories has been my dream. It’s how I consume content and I know there’s a strong desire from our audience for non-appointment content that meets people in their headphones when it suits them.”
Greg Jennett: “I’m proud of what we’ve done with Afternoon Briefing these last three years. It has become an accessible place for politicians of all stripes and levels of experience to discuss and debate the issues of the day.
“Over the years I’ve been privileged to report on some of the most remarkable events in the life of our nation. In 2025 I’ll devote my energies to other stories around the nation’s capital, while still being close enough to hear that thrum from the Hill that’s been a constant in my reporting for the last couple of decades or so. I’m looking forward to what comes next.”
ABC Director, News Justin Stevens: “Patricia Karvelas and Greg Jennett are among the best political journalists in the country and will ensure audiences get the most up to date insights and analysis on offer, bringing their huge experience to the biggest stories of the moment, here and overseas.
“They will be integral members of our coverage as we gear up for the next federal election.”