Shock as The Guardian's Katharine Murphy suddenly quits her job for a role in Anthony Albanese's office - as Peter Dutton launches extraordinary attack

By ELIZA MCPHEE, ASSISTANT EDITOR, AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

The Guardian's political editor Katharine Murphy has quit the publication and will now take on a new role in Anthony Albanese's office.

The senior journalist made the announcement on Monday and said her 28-year career in the Canberra press gallery had been an 'honour'.

'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 mentors, colleagues and readers,' she wrote on X.

'Playing a part in establishing The Guardian with (editor) Lenore Taylor has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. But it's time – after nearly three decades – for a new chapter.

The Guardian's political editor Katharine Murphy has quit the publication and will now take on a new role in Anthony Albanese 's office

The Guardian's political editor Katharine Murphy has quit the publication and will now take on a new role in Anthony Albanese 's office

'I want to say farewell by thanking Australians who support good journalism. It has never been more necessary.'

It's unclear what Murphy's role in Mr Albanese's office will be, with her final day at The Guardian on Friday.

Murphy was awarded the Paul Lyneham award for excellence in press gallery journalism in 2008, and was a Walkley award finalist in the best digital journalism category in 2012.

The journalist regularly publishes analysis on Australian politics and is also often a panelist on the ABC's Insiders program. 

Murphy joined The Guardian when it was set up in Australia in 2013.

'Murph has been part of the Guardian Australia project since the idea was conceived ten years ago as what seemed at the time an audacious attempt to change Australia's media landscape,' Taylor said. 

'We'll all miss her terribly and so will our readers.' 

Following the announcement, Opposition leader Peter Dutton took a dig at the journalist, who had been critical of the Coalition, along with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's chief political correspondent David Crowe.

'I am genuinely shocked to see Murpharoo (Murphy's nickname) take up a spot to now be officially running lines for Labor,' he wrote on X.

'The real outrage is David Crowe missed out. What more must he do to prove his credentials to formally be employed by the Labor Party?'

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said he was shocked by Mr Dutton's comments.

'I thought this must be a parody, not the account of the alternative Prime Minister. For the record, David Crowe is a journalist of the utmost professionalism who keeps all sides to account,' Mr Bowen said.

'He does not deserve this level of childish abuse from you.'

Crowe was approached for comment.  

The journalist regularly publishes analysis on Australian politics and is also often a panelist on the ABC's Insiders program

The journalist regularly publishes analysis on Australian politics and is also often a panelist on the ABC's Insiders program

Anthony Albanese

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