Ali Moore Leaves ABC Drive; Charlie Pickering Named Successor

Veteran journalist Ali Moore is stepping down from her role as host of the ABC Radio Drive program after a distinguished 40-year career in journalism. Her final broadcast is scheduled for May 29, 2026. Moore plans to relocate partially to the Italian countryside, specifically Umbria, where she intends to learn the language and cooking while splitting her time between Italy and Australia. She described the move as a fulfillment of a decade-long dream and a necessary change after holding numerous broadcast roles. Comedian and television host Charlie Pickering will replace Moore starting in June. Pickering, known for hosting ABC TV’s The Weekly and the radio show Thank God It’s Friday, aims to rebuild the program's audience share, which recently dipped to 2.5 percent. Moore endorsed Pickering, noting the shift from her serious journalistic approach to his comedic style would benefit the station. Pickering expressed enthusiasm for the role, citing it as a lifelong ambition. He intends to continue his existing television and radio commitments alongside the new Drive hosting duties, pending management approval.