David Chau to replace Alan Kohler on ABC 7pm News as Jessica Irvine joins business team – The ABC has named David Chau as the new finance presenter on its 7pm News bulletin and appointed Jessica Irvine as Money Correspondent. The two appointments reshape the broadcaster’s business coverage as Alan Kohler prepares to make his final nightly appearance this week.
For viewers, the immediate change comes in the 7pm bulletin. Chau will take over Kohler’s evening finance segment. Meanwhile, Irvine will report on the economy, business and household finances across ABC platforms. The ABC has not specified Chau’s first date in the position.
Alan Kohler’s final ABC 7pm News report moves forward
Kohler announced his retirement last month after 31 years with the ABC. At that point, he planned to present his final 7pm finance report in December. However, Kohler has brought forward his departure to join his son Chris on a new podcast. He will make his farewell 7pm News appearance on Wednesday 14 October.
The change brings forward the December timetable TV Central reported when Kohler announced his retirement. As a result, viewers will see the transition within days rather than at the end of the year.
David Chau takes over the nightly finance segment
ABC News audiences already know Chau. He joined the broadcaster as a digital producer in 2017. Then, in 2019, he began presenting finance reports on the ABC News Channel. He has covered business for close to a decade. Before moving into journalism, he trained and worked as a litigation lawyer for five years.
Chau said the appointment was a personal milestone and acknowledged the presenter whose segment he will inherit.
To find out I’ll be presenting the evening finance segment is a ‘pinch me’ moment. I’m honoured for this opportunity to continue Alan Kohler’s legacy – the man is indisputably a national treasure.
David Chau
Chau said his upbringing as the son of a Vietnam War refugee shaped his interest in financial news. His family had limited money. Consequently, he taught himself about finance and learned from Kohler’s reports. Now, Chau wants to make financial stories relatable, understandable and enjoyable for viewers.
Jessica Irvine appointed Money Correspondent
Irvine will start at the ABC in November. As Money Correspondent, she will examine how economic and policy decisions affect Australians’ personal finances. Her role will extend across ABC platforms, rather than one television bulletin.
She spent close to two decades at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Earlier, she served as National Economics Editor at News Corporation. The ABC says she has covered 18 federal budgets and written five books. Her reporting focuses on explaining household finance and the wider economy in plain English.
Irvine said she was looking forward to joining the national business team.
I’m excited to join the ABC and be part of the outstanding business team and to continue to help Australians understand their money better.
Jessica Irvine
ABC Director, News Simon Robinson described Chau as a clear and reliable explainer of markets and corporate news. He also said Irvine’s experience would strengthen coverage of the economy and cost of living. Robinson thanked Kohler for three decades of work at the broadcaster.
He has been a respected and admired part of the ABC family for three decades and leaves a huge legacy.
Simon Robinson, ABC Director, News
Kohler will make his final 7pm News appearance on Wednesday 14 October. The ABC has not announced an exact first bulletin for Chau. For more ABC coverage, visit TV Central’s ABC news section. David Chau’s reporting and finance segments are available on his ABC News profile.