High-profile Australian journalist Katharine Murphy is resigning from her role at Guardian Australia to work in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office.
Murphy, the political editor at Guardian Australia, made the announcement on social media on Monday, reflecting on her nearly 30-year journalism career.
“28 years ago, almost to the week, I arrived in the Canberra press gallery,” Murphy said.
“I am deeply grateful to so many people for the opportunities I’ve had and for the generosity that has been extended to me by my mentors, colleagues and readers.”
I will be joining the office of @AlboMP
— Katharine Murphy (@murpharoo) January 28, 2024
I want to say farewell by thanking Australians who support good journalism.
It has never been more necessary.
Thank you for your company. It's been a honour.
Murphy has worked at Guardian Australia since the British media outlet extended to Australia in 2013. She, alongside Guardian Australia’s editor Lenore Taylor, were key in the establishment of the independent media organisation in Australia.
“Playing a part in establishing Guardian Australia with Lenore Taylor has been the greatest privilege of my professional life,” Murphy wrote on X.
“But it’s time – after nearly three decades – for a new chapter.”
Murphy revealed she would be taking up a role in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office in Parliament House. According to reports, her final day at Guardian Australia will be on Friday.
“I want to say farewell by thanking Australians who support good journalism. It has never been more necessary,” Murphy wrote in her statement.
“Thank you for your company. It’s been an honour.”
Murphy is a respected journalist in Australia, reporting on Australian politics for nearly 30 years. In 2008, she won the Paul Lyneham award for excellence in press gallery journalism, and in 2012, was a finalist for a Walkley award in the best digital journalist category.
‘Go well, Katharine.’
Murphy’s colleague Lenore Taylor, editor at Guardian Australia, thanked her for her contribution to the online news site, saying her presence will be missed.
“Murph has been part of Guardian Australia project since the idea was conceived 10 years ago as what seemed like an audacious attempt to change Australia’s media landscape. It has succeeded beyond anything we imagined,” Taylor wrote on X.
“Murph’s dedication, tireless work and brilliant political analysis have played a significant part in that success. On behalf of everyone at Guardian Australia, I’d like to thank her. We’ll all miss her terribly and so will our readers.”
Several journalists took to social media congratulating Murphy on her career and wishing her well for her new role.
“You’ve made a wonderful contribution to our collective understanding of Australian politics,” journalist Emma Alberici said. “All the very best in your new role.”
“What a huge loss to journalism in this country!” ABC Breakfast co-host Michael Rowland wrote on X. “I will miss your always considered and sometimes delightfully salty takes on the day and week in politics. Go well, Katharine.”
The news of Murphy’s career change did not go down well with Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton. On X, Dutton wrote he was “genuinely shocked” to hear that Murphy will now be “officially running lines for Labor”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is yet to publicly comment on the appointment.