Ali Moore Leaves ABC Drive After an Iconic Career in Australian Broadcasting
One of Australia’s most respected radio and television journalists is preparing for a major life change.
Ali Moore has confirmed that she will leave ABC Melbourne Drive at the end of May 2026, bringing an emotional close to a broadcasting career that has stretched across almost 40 years. Her departure marks the end of an era for many ABC listeners who have followed her work through radio, television, international reporting, and political journalism.
The announcement quickly became one of the biggest media stories in Australia because Moore is not simply leaving a radio slot — she is stepping away from a career that shaped Australian news broadcasting across multiple generations.
Her final show on ABC Drive is scheduled for May 29, while broadcaster and comedian Charlie Pickering will officially take over the program from June.
What makes the story especially emotional is the reason behind her decision. Rather than moving to another network or chasing a new television role, Moore is choosing a completely different lifestyle. She plans to split her time between Australia and Italy as she and her husband prepare to begin a quieter life in Umbria.
For many listeners, the story feels deeply personal because Moore has long been seen as one of the calmest, smartest, and most trusted voices in Australian media.
Ali Moore Career Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Career Start | 1987 |
| First Major Role | ABC Melbourne (3LO) |
| Major Networks | ABC, Nine Network, BBC |
| International Role | China Correspondent in Beijing |
| Television Work | Lateline, Lateline Business |
| Radio Role | ABC Melbourne Drive |
| Final ABC Drive Show | May 29, 2026 |
| Replacement | Charlie Pickering |
Why Ali Moore Is Leaving ABC Drive
Ali Moore explained that the decision was connected to a dream she and her husband had been discussing for years.
The couple are in the process of buying a farmhouse in Umbria, Italy, where Moore hopes to embrace a slower pace of life far removed from decades of newsroom deadlines, political coverage, and live broadcasting pressure.
She shared that she wants to learn Italian, improve her cooking skills, and experience a completely different lifestyle after spending most of her adult life working in journalism.
For Moore, this is not a sudden move. She reportedly informed ABC management months earlier that she likely would not complete the full year.
Even while announcing her departure, Moore spoke warmly about her time at the ABC and made it clear she was leaving without bitterness or controversy.
That tone has become one of the biggest reasons why audiences reacted emotionally to the announcement. Instead of a dramatic exit, her departure feels like a thoughtful personal decision from someone who believes it is the right moment to begin a new chapter.
Also See : Memphis Grizzlies Mourn Brandon Clarke as NBA Community Pays Tribute to Beloved Forward
Ali Moore’s Broadcasting Career Explained
Ali Moore’s career began in 1987 when she joined the ABC as a graduate cadet.
Fittingly, her journey both started and ended with ABC Melbourne radio.
Over the next four decades, she built one of the most respected careers in Australian journalism. Her work crossed radio and television, local reporting and international correspondence, as well as serious political coverage and long-form interviews.
Throughout her career, Moore became known for intelligence, professionalism, and calm interviewing rather than loud television-style confrontation.
She often described herself as a serious journalist rather than an entertainer. In fact, one of the most memorable parts of her farewell comments came when she joked that she lacked a sense of humour and that ABC management had now replaced her with a comedian.
That self-awareness resonated strongly with audiences because it reflected the personality listeners had come to know over decades.
How Ali Moore Changed ABC Drive
Ali Moore officially took over ABC Melbourne Drive in late 2023 after Rafael Epstein moved to the Mornings program.
During her time on Drive, she covered major political developments, emergency events, global technology outages, social debates, and local Victorian stories. Her style focused heavily on thoughtful conversation and public-interest journalism.
Listeners often appreciated her ability to balance serious news coverage with warmth and curiosity.
Even in highly competitive radio hours, Moore maintained a loyal audience that trusted her approach to interviews and public discussion.
Her version of Drive leaned more toward intelligent conversation than loud debate or sensational entertainment. That identity became closely connected with the program itself.
Charlie Pickering Named as Ali Moore’s Replacement
ABC confirmed that Charlie Pickering will replace Ali Moore as the new host of Drive from June 2026.
The appointment immediately attracted attention because Pickering represents a very different broadcasting style.
While Moore built her reputation as a traditional journalist, Pickering is widely known for combining political commentary with comedy and satire.
Still, he is far from inexperienced in broadcasting.
Before joining the role full-time, Pickering had already become familiar to ABC radio audiences through Friday appearances and his work hosting Thank God It’s Friday. He is also widely recognised as the face of The Weekly with Charlie Pickering and previously worked on The Project and other television programs.
Charlie Pickering Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Profession | Broadcaster, Comedian, TV Host |
| New Role | ABC Melbourne Drive Host |
| Starts | June 2026 |
| Known For | The Weekly with Charlie Pickering |
| Previous ABC Radio Work | Thank God It’s Friday |
| Earlier TV Career | The Project |
| Original Background | Law |
Pickering acknowledged that he has “big shoes to fill” and praised Moore’s professionalism and connection with listeners.
At the same time, he made it clear that hosting Drive is something he considers a dream opportunity.
Why This Change Feels Bigger Than a Normal Radio Replacement
The transition from Ali Moore to Charlie Pickering is not just a standard presenter change.
It represents a broader shift in tone for one of ABC Melbourne’s biggest radio programs.
Moore represented classic journalism traditions — serious reporting, deep interviews, and measured analysis. Pickering, meanwhile, is known for humour, satire, and conversational commentary.
That contrast has already become one of the most discussed aspects of the transition.
Interestingly, Moore herself appeared enthusiastic about the change. She openly praised Pickering and suggested his personality could bring something fresh and different to the station.
Rather than presenting the replacement as competition, Moore framed it as a positive evolution for the program.
That mutual respect between the two broadcasters helped shape public reaction to the announcement.
The Emotional Side of Ali Moore’s Goodbye
One reason the story has connected strongly with audiences is because Moore’s departure feels deeply human.
After decades of deadlines, political interviews, newsroom pressure, and international reporting, she is choosing family life, travel, language learning, and personal fulfilment.
Many listeners related to the idea of stepping away from a high-pressure career to pursue a quieter dream that had been waiting in the background for years.
The image of Moore leaving radio behind for a farmhouse in Umbria created a powerful emotional contrast with the fast-paced media career she has known for decades.
For long-time ABC audiences, it also feels like the end of a certain era of journalism — one built around patience, authority, and thoughtful conversation.
Ali Moore’s Legacy at ABC and Australian Media
Ali Moore leaves behind a career defined by credibility and consistency.
She worked across multiple countries, networks, and media formats while maintaining a reputation for intelligence and professionalism. Few broadcasters manage to remain respected across both television and radio over such a long period.
Her career also reflects a changing era of Australian media history — from traditional radio broadcasting to global television journalism and modern talk radio.
More importantly, she built trust with audiences over decades rather than through controversy or celebrity culture.
That may ultimately become the strongest part of her legacy.
What Happens Next for ABC Drive?
Charlie Pickering will officially begin hosting Drive in June 2026.
ABC management clearly believes his mix of humour, intelligence, and audience familiarity can bring fresh energy to the program while maintaining its strong connection with listeners.
Pickering is also expected to continue several of his television and comedy commitments alongside the new role, adding another interesting dimension to the transition.
The challenge for him will not simply be attracting listeners — it will be creating a version of Drive that respects the trust built by Ali Moore while establishing its own identity.
That balance may define the next chapter of the program.
Ali Moore’s goodbye feels very different from many major media departures. There is no controversy or dramatic fallout — just a respected broadcaster choosing a new chapter after nearly 40 years in journalism. Her decision to leave radio for a quieter life between Australia and Italy has resonated deeply with listeners who followed her career for decades.
As Charlie Pickering prepares to lead ABC Drive into a new era, Moore leaves behind a legacy built on trust, intelligence, and thoughtful broadcasting. For many Australians, her voice will always remain an important part of ABC radio history.
