David Speers
David Speers | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 9, 1974 Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, television presenter |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Known for | Hosting Insiders on ABC TV; former political editor at Sky News Australia |
David Gordon Speers (born 9 September 1974) is a prominent Australian journalist currently hosting Insiders on ABC TV.
He formerly held the role of political editor at Sky News Australia, where he led several programs such as PM Agenda, The Last Word, and Speers Tonight.
Career
Speers launched his professional journey in Geelong, Victoria at the radio station K-Rock. His broadcasting experience expanded with positions at 2GB, 2UE, and 3AW. Since 2005, he has served as both a member and director on the board of the National Press Club.
Sky News
Joining Sky News in 2000, Speers assumed the role of political editor. He was the host of the prominent weekday program PM Agenda, airing Monday through Thursday afternoons, and regularly delivered political news and interviews on the channel’s continuous news platform.
Until its conclusion in 2015, he commuted weekly from Canberra to Sydney to present the evening show The Nation with David Speers. On 28 January 2016, Speers introduced a new weekly program titled Speers Tonight, which broadcasts from Canberra.
ABC News
In June 2019, Speers was named as the new host of ABC’s Insiders, succeeding Barrie Cassidy starting February 2020. He frequently appears across ABC News, News Breakfast, and various ABC Local Radio outlets, including hosting Mornings on ABC Radio Melbourne. Additionally, he has substituted for Michael Rowland on News Breakfast.
In July 2023, Speers was appointed as ABC’s national political lead—a newly established position following Andrew Probyn’s exit. In 2024, he relocated his family back to Canberra, from where he currently presents Insiders.
Election coverage
Speers has moderated significant leaders’ debates during multiple Australian federal elections: the 2007 contest between John Howard and Kevin Rudd, the 2010 election featuring Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, as well as the 2013 election between Rudd and Abbott. For the 2025 federal election, he hosted ABC’s second leaders’ debate. That same year, Speers co-anchored ABC’s election night coverage alongside Sarah Ferguson, and in 2023, he co-hosted coverage of the Voice Referendum with Bridget Brennan.
Other
In 2020, Speers authored On Mutiny (), a book exploring the ousting of former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. He is also a regular contributor of articles to the financial publication Switzer.
Awards
Between 2006 and 2015, Speers was honored annually with an ASTRA Award for "outstanding performance" as a presenter or journalist, with the exception of 2010; these awards ceased after 2015.
He received a Walkley Award in 2014 for his interview with Attorney General George Brandis concerning metadata legislation, followed by another Walkley in 2015 for his interview titled "The Fixer" with Christopher Pyne on PM Agenda, which he also hosted.
In 2016, News Corp Australia recognized him among Australia's top 50 most influential television personalities. He secured the Subscription Television Award for Best Male Presenter at the 2017 AACTA Awards.
Personal life
Peter Speers and Robyn (née Cowled) are the parents of Speers. He lives in Canberra with his wife, Liz, and together they have two children, born in 2010 and 2014.
In addition to his journalism career, Speers is skilled at playing the trumpet and demonstrated this ability during his presentation at the 2010 ASTRA Awards.