There’s so much about this that doesn’t feel right. Forced, even. I’m not sure ABC News management really thought this through. It’s not Karina’s fault – I’m confident she’ll do a great job. It would seem however that 2013 is indeed the year of Qld news anchors being shoe-horned out of jobs they were doing a really good job in. From the press release:

The ABC is making changes to its television and radio line-up that will strengthen the delivery of news and current affairs to Queensland in this important Federal election year.
From next month, Karina Carvalho will be joining the Queensland team as presenter of the 7pm TV News on ABC1.

Karina is one of the ABC’s most talented news presenters and joins ABC Queensland after presenting the 7pm news bulletin in Perth and more recently ABC News Breakfast, which is broadcast nationally from Melbourne.

Karina joined the ABC in 2007 after working for the BBC. She worked as a reporter in the Perth newsroom before presenting the Perth 7pm News for three and a half years. She will play a hands-on role regularly presenting the bulletin on location in Brisbane and regional Queensland.

David Curnow, who has been presenting television and radio bulletins from Brisbane, will remain a key part of the ABC’s news presentation line-up in Queensland, leading the flagship afternoon radio bulletins and updating ABC radio audiences on developing stories.

David’s skills, experience and strong bi-media background will be put to great use in a new role mentoring and working with regional journalists to get more local content into the major bulletins, while also generating his own cross-platform stories.

The ABC’s strength stems from its network of journalists working across the state – reporters and crews working in their communities and understanding local issues. With a great team in Brisbane and strong coverage from the Gold Coast, Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast, Mt Isa, Mackay, Longreach, Gladstone, Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba and Rockhampton, the ABC offers a breadth and depth of Queensland news coverage unrivalled by any other broadcaster.

In 2013 Queensland can look forward to even more reporting from the state’s growing metropolitan areas, reinforcing the ABC’s reputation as the top destination for Queenslanders to find out about the issues that matter to them.

The people of Queensland rely on the ABC’s regional focus and local knowledge, coupled with the ABC’s renowned nightly international coverage and award-winning news and analysis from Canberra.

These changes build on the ABC’s continuing investment in Queensland as the home of ABC News Online, with a team that keeps Australians informed on breaking and latest news around the clock.
The ABC’s priority is to ensure the best Queensland coverage is provided to audiences across the day, on all platforms.