Natalie Whiting appointed ABC’s Papua New Guinea correspondent

Natalie Whiting has been appointed as the ABC’s new Papua New Guinea correspondent.

Natalie Whiting

She will take over the key posting from Eric Tlozek, who after three years in the role has been appointed one of the ABC’s Middle East correspondents, based in Jerusalem.

Whiting currently reports for 7.30 and ABC News in Tasmania, based in Hobart. She has extensively covered regional and outback Australia, from Orange and Broken Hill, to Ceduna, Wilcannia, Maralinga and the APY Lands.

Whiting said she was excited about moving to Port Moresby and working with the ABC’s local team there.

“Papua New Guinea is Australia’s nearest neighbour and our two countries have a long history and close ties,” she said.

“It’s such an important country to be reporting on and for, and I look forward to taking on that responsibility.

“Mostly, I’m excited to meet people and to tell their stories – and to be back living in an area where rugby league is the sport of choice.”

ABC News has operated a bureau in Papua New Guinea for more than four decades and is now the only foreign news organisation with a permanent office there.