Michelle Gunn has been appointed editor-in-chief of The Australian.
She has been editor of The Australian since May 2020 and before that, was the editor of The Weekend Australian for eight years.
Gunn said: “I am honoured to be appointed editor-of-chief. The Australian has an important duty to lead national debates and forge new paths for its longstanding commitment to journalism of the highest quality and I look forward to embracing these challenges."
Kelvin Healey, editor of The Saturday Courier-Mail and The Sunday Mail in Brisbane, will replace Gunn as editor of The Australian.
Gunn will report to Michael Miller, executive chairman of News Corp Australasia,.
Sky News Australia CEO Paul Whittaker will take on an additional role as chair of a new editorial board being established for The Australian. The new board will be an active forum for Whittaker and The Australian's leadership team to guide coverage and develop editorial direction and opportunities.
Edwina McCann will expand her role as publisher for News Corp’s Prestige Network and Conde Nast titles in Australia to include editorial directorship of The Australian's prestige publications, The Weekend Australian Magazine, Wish, Mansion, Travel and Luxury and The List magazines.
Mick Carroll, News Corp’s national weekend editor and editor of The Saturday and Sunday Telegraphs, will be the new chair of the News Corp Editorial Board which oversees strategic decisions for the broader group of News Corp titles in Australia.
The new roles for Gunn, Whittaker, Healey, McCann and Carroll are effective from January 9. Healey and McCann, in their roles at The Australian, will report to Ms Gunn. Carroll will continue to report to Mr Miller.
Miller said: “Michelle is an outstanding journalist and editor. Her leadership and deep understanding of The Australian’s relationship with its audience will ensure its trusted and news-breaking journalism sets the national news agenda. Her editorship has seen The Australian achieve record readership and she will drive its growth and digital success as it approaches its 60th year.
“I am also grateful to Paul Whittaker for agreeing to chair The Australian’s new Editorial Board. As a previous award-winning editor-in-chief and editor of The Australian and editor of The Daily Telegraph for almost 12 years, his journalistic experience is immense.
“The Australian’s new Editorial Board will provide input and feedback on enhancements for the masthead’s editorial direction and commitment to first-class news coverage and commentary. Ms Gunn and Mr Whittaker and a small group of senior leaders will sit on the board.”
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