UPDATE: Guardian Australia has just appointed Tom McIlroy as its new political editor, a significant move that comes just months after he joined the newsroom as chief political correspondent. This appointment fills the vacancy left by Karen Middleton, who departed in March after a year in the role.
McIlroy, who began his tenure at Guardian Australia in April, has an extensive background in political journalism, having reported for major outlets including the Australian Financial Review, The Age, and the Sydney Morning Herald. He brings nearly a decade of experience from the federal parliamentary press gallery and is also the author of the recently published book, Blue Poles: Jackson Pollock, Gough Whitlam and the Painting that Changed a Nation.
In a statement, Guardian Australia editor Lenore Taylor expressed her enthusiasm for McIlroy’s appointment: “We were thrilled to welcome Tom to our Canberra bureau in April and are even happier to be appointing him as political editor. We have been impressed by his excellent reporting and insightful analysis and commentary.” Taylor emphasized the importance of promoting an internal candidate to this pivotal role.
Upon taking on his new position, McIlroy stated, “I couldn’t be more excited to take on the role of political editor and to work alongside our dynamic Canberra team. At a time when politicians try hard to avoid scrutiny and Australia faces historic policy challenges, journalists must work harder than ever to serve our audience. Guardian Australia’s readers expect nothing less.”
Starting immediately, McIlroy will lead the political coverage from Canberra, a critical hub for Australian political reporting. The Guardian plans to initiate the search for a new chief political correspondent to join the bureau shortly.
This transition underscores Guardian Australia’s commitment to delivering thorough and incisive political journalism, especially during a time when political accountability is crucial for the Australian public.
Stay tuned for further updates as McIlroy embarks on this significant role, shaping political discourse in Australia.
