Leigh Sales will step down as Presenter of the ABC's 7.30 programme in late June. She has been in the role for almost 12 years. During this time, Leigh has covered the terms of five Prime Ministers, anchored nine federal budgets and two federal elections - with a third coming up - and been the face of many major primetime news events for the ABC, including the death of Nelson Mandela and the election of Donald Trump.

Announcing the news on-air, Leigh said, "I just feel a strong sense of it being time to pass the baton to the next runner in the race and to take a break. The end of an election cycle feels like a good time to move onto something new at the ABC."

Upon her departure, Leigh will continue with the broadcaster in a new role and will lead its federal election night TV coverage.