Kerry O'Brien quits 7.30 Report

Kerry O'Brien, host of ABC's 7.30 Report, has announced he will leave the program to take on a new role at the national broadcaster.

He has been the current affairs program's editor and presenter for 15 years.

"I've been in the pressure cooker of daily current affairs hosting and interviewing for 21 straight years, including six years at Lateline, and it's been something of a marathon," the ABC reported O'Brien as saying.

"I leave with confidence that the 7.30 Report will be at the heart of ABC news and current affairs coverage for years to come."

Director of ABC News Kate Torney said O'Brien's retirement from the program marked the end of his reign as Australia's leading current affairs presenter and interviewer.

"Kerry has consistently set the news agenda and this has never been more apparent than this year when he has delivered a number of game-changing interviews with industry and political leaders, including president Barack Obama," she said.

O'Brien will finish with The 7.30 Report in December, before beginning a new role at the ABC next year.