Alan Kohler's 'And that's finance' ends after 31 years at the ABC

Alan Kohler will retire from the ABC at the end of 2026, ending "And that's finance", the sign-off that has closed the finance segment of the ABC's 7pm news for years. He joined the ABC in 1995.

"It felt like a good time," Kohler said. "I know it's cliche but I do want to spend more time with the family."

Three decades of finance on air

Kohler started as business and economics correspondent for 7.30, presented Inside Business from 2002 to 2013, and became the lead finance presenter on the 7pm news. "I always enjoyed doing the news," he said.

ABC managing director Hugh Marks praised his "extraordinary contribution". Director of news Simon Robinson called him "one of Australia's most respected and admired business commentators".

A father and son across two networks

Kohler is not stopping. He will keep writing his column for Intelligent Investor and presenting the Money Cafe podcast, and will launch a new podcast, Kohler and Kohler, with his son Chris Kohler, who is Nine's finance editor.

That puts the ABC's best-known finance presenter and one of Nine's senior finance journalists on the same show. "There's always plenty to do," Kohler said. No audience figures for Money Cafe or plans for selling advertising on the new show were given.

Another change at the top of the ABC

The announcement lands in a busy week for the ABC's leadership. Seven West Media chief operating officer Trent Dickeson will join the ABC as chief operating officer on 19 October, Mumbrella reported.

James Dore

James Dore is founder and editor of Prompt the Market and Strategy Director at Bushnote, a Sydney strategy, SEO and AI search agency. He has a background in strategy, media and financial services, and led consumer product marketing at MONEYME. He writes on AI search, answer engines, technology policy and media economics.