Guardian Australia editor Lenore Taylor (Image: AAP/Bianca De Marchi)
Guardian Australia editor Lenore Taylor (Image: AAP/Bianca De Marchi)

Guardian Australia has quietly shuffled editorial leadership, adding to long-running speculation over editor Lenore Taylor’s succession plans. 

Former deputy editor David Munk has moved into a senior managing editor role, with the previous deputy editor position now split between former national news editor Patrick Keneally and former associate editor, audio and visual Gabrielle Jackson. 

The changes came without an external announcement, with Guardian Australia’s editorial team page updating to reflect the changes, in addition to some staff changing their LinkedIn profiles. After being contacted by Crikey, a Guardian Australia spokesperson confirmed the changes alongside a press release.

Former opinion editor Bridie Jabour has moved to replace Jackson as the associate editor of audio and visual, while her previous deputy opinion editor, Svetlana Stankovic, moves up to take the mantle of opinion editor. 

Former associate editor Julian Drape has been appointed deputy national news editor, while Sam Strutt has been appointed associated news editor (Queensland). 

Josephine Tovey appears to be the final change in the reshuffle, with the former deputy news editor now in the role of national news editor. 

Taylor has been with Guardian Australia since its inception in 2013, joining as its first political editor, before ascending to editor in May 2016.

She said in the press release she was “proud to appoint these brilliant and dedicated colleagues” to senior positions in the newsroom.

“Their skills and dedication will help ensure Guardian Australia’s ongoing growth and impact,” she said.

It comes after Karen Middleton replaced Katharine Murphy as political editor, a move first reported in Crikey, after Murphy left to join Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office. Middleton joined Guardian Australia from Schwartz Media’s The Saturday Paper, where she was chief political correspondent. 

Crikey understands a staff town hall meeting scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled.