‘Not as sharp’: ABC election guru Antony Green drops bombshell
Legendary ABC analyst Antony Green has dropped a bombshell, revealing the coming federal election will be his last in an on-air role.
Green, the national broadcaster’s chief election analyst is stepping aside after more than 30 years in the role.
“By the time of the next election, I’ll be 68 and I know I’m not as sharp and quick as I was five years ago,” Green said on Wednesday.
“It gets harder and harder. It’s like a footballer, sometimes they play on a season too long, and I’m making sure I don’t do that.”
Green’s last on-air roles will be the March 8 Western Australia election and the yet-to-be-called federal election.
He will remain with the ABC behind the scenes, continuing to focus on election-related projects. His on-air replacement will be ABC data journalist Casey Briggs, who will work closely with Green.
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“Antony Green is an Australian institution and much-loved figure with the public. For more than three decades he has performed one of the ABC’s most important roles with precision, impartiality, dedication and unprecedented expertise,” ABC news director Justin Stevens said.
“He has the ABC’s immense gratitude and respect. I’m sure our audience joins me in thanking him and wishing him well as he prepares for his final federal election broadcast.
“It’s fantastic to have someone of the calibre of Casey Briggs to step into this key role after this federal election. Casey’s analysis and insights are superb. He is ready for this step and I look forward to seeing his work on future elections.”
Green has become a household name since joining the ABC for a six-month role working on the 1990 federal election. He has provided live analysis for the network on about 100 state and federal election programs – although the career of his lifetime began with a simple advertisement for a temporary job as a researcher at the ABC.
“You had to have research skills, computer skills, and I went, ‘That’s me!’. And so I applied and the legendary ABC producer, Ian Carroll, selected me out of about 150 applicants,” Green said.
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“I think I did have all the skills but the one thing I had that nobody else had — well, I had confidence — but nobody else had the computer skills I had, way back in 1989.”
He was offered a permanent position and has never left the national broadcaster. He even designed the election night computer program that the ABC still uses.
“I used to say election night was like bungee jumping for intellectuals. You leap into the election night void hoping the thin stream of data from the Electoral Commission doesn’t snap. Election night still provides that adrenalin rush,” Green said.
“Covering elections for the past 36 years has been a wonderful and at times exhilarating experience. But each passing year has also made it a more exhausting experience. It is time to move on.”
A youthful Antony Green during his first on-air appearance in 1991. Photo: ABC
Green’s public service and expertise have been recognised with an Order of Australia (2016) and an honorary doctorate from the University of Sydney (2014).
Briggs said Green had set the bar for election analysis.
“He is sharp, fast and, even under the immense pressure of the night, manages to keep his sense of humour. For me, it has been such a privilege to have had a front row seat to watch and learn from the master at work,” he said.
“We will all miss him from our screens, but I’m thankful that at least we get a couple more chances to celebrate his monumental contribution to Australia and its democracy.”
