‘Mornings won’t be the same’: MPs and listeners pay tribute to ‘tough but fair’ Fran Kelly

The veteran ABC journalist Fran Kelly’s decision to hang up her headphones as the presenter of RN Breakfast at the end of the year has prompted strong reactions from across the political spectrum, her colleagues and her listeners.

Appearing on the show shortly after her emotional announcement, treasurer Josh Frydenberg praised Kelly for her fairness throughout her tenure.

“You’ve been fair. We might not always agree on the question, or the premise of the question, but over 17 years you’ve been an outstanding journalist,” he said.

“Your dulcet tones have been heard around many kitchen tables across the country, and you’ve always been measure, you’ve always been reassuring.”

Messages from listeners flooded into the station in the minutes after her revelation.

Matt Bevan, an RN Breakfast reporter, said the initial reactions were “along the lines of “OH NO”, followed by many reflecting on the effect Kelly had had on their lives.

Many listeners sent in messages lamenting her departure, but after Kelly spent 17 years waking up at 3:30am, empathy was a common theme of many responses.

Labour’s Penny Wong, who also appeared on RN Breakfast soon after the announcement, paid tribute to Kelly.

“I just want to say, I understand your announcement this morning, (but its) very sad news for the country and for the listeners,” she said.

“I want to acknowledge your lifelong contribution to the democracy. Journalism matters, facts matter, you’ve always sought to find the facts and seek the truth. You’ve been tough but fair, and this is so important in our democracy.”

Wong’s political colleagues echoed her sentiments on Twitter.

Many journalists also shared their sadness, with some describing her as an inspiration.

Kelly appeared on ABC News soon after her show ended.

“I’ve had a wonderful, wonderful response from the audience in particular, and across the political spectrum,” she said.

“The most powerful moments were not when we’re talking to the politicians or the lawyers or the banking chiefs or whoever, but when we’re talking to the people here, and overseas, who are affected by events of the world that we’re reporting on, or the political decisions being made.

“It’s the people’s responses and the impacts of them … thats where the power is, thats where the emotions of radio is.”