Powerhouse women of the ABC

The first woman director of ABC news, Kate Torney, has announced she will leave in September after six years in the job and 20 years with the broadcaster.

Ms Torney will become the chief executive of the State Library of Victoria. Several of her colleagues, including Insiders host Barrie Cassidy, said the decision came as a shock.

The ABC's managing director, Mark Scott, described Ms Torney as "a passionate and inspiring leader of the news division in a time of remarkable change".

"What she has achieved with the news team over the past six years is extraordinary," Mr Scott said.

"Kate's era has also seen a commitment to strong, robust reporting and journalism that has repeatedly won the highest accolades in the industry."

In her time at the ABC, Ms Torney worked as a radio and TV reporter, producer, bureau chief, executive producer and editor. As news director, she oversaw the launch of ABC News 24 and the expansion of mobile and online services.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull said she was "one of the great leaders in Australian news and journalism" and had been seen as a potential heir to Mr Scott.

"She is very, very, very highly regarded," Mr Turnbull said.

ABC chairman James Spigelman said Ms Torney had "transformed the services on offer to Australians everywhere".

Ms Torney said she had always felt working in journalism and at the ABC were privileges.

"For 20 years I have had the great pleasure of working with the industry's best and brightest – smart, creative and passionate people who are deeply committed to serving audiences and determined to uphold the journalistic excellence which underpins the ABC's reputation," she said.

The president of the State Library of Victoria, John Wylie, welcomed Ms Torney, who will lead the library as it continues a five-year, $83 million building redevelopment.

"We are thrilled to have someone of Kate's calibre and experience leading the next phase of the library's evolution," he said.

ABC head of newsgathering Craig McMurtrie will be acting director of news when Ms Torney leaves, until the position is filled permanently.

Ms Torney's departure is the second shock for the ABC in two days after the broadcaster announced on Thursday that it is closing all of its shops.

Another, more minor surprise, was the arrival of Barrie Cassidy on Twitter; his first tweet was the announcement of his boss's departure.

"Who knew? All I needed to do was resign to get BC to tweet," Ms Torney tweeted. "I'm honoured & a bit scared about this account."

It's likely Torney's experience in digital media was seen as a strength for the library role.

​Her appointment comes as the library faces financial challenges, even while announcing ambitious expansion plans.

In the coming years the library plans to embark on a $83.1 million revamp to create  a new "e-town hall" , transform Queen's Hall into a second reading room, and create  a rooftop garden. The state government allocated $55.4 million to the project in the Budget. The library is expected to raise the remaining $28 million.

Annual report figures show the library has a deficit of $7.648 million. While the deficit is falling, from $8.5 million in 2013 and $14 million in 2012, its major exhibition venture Les Miserables: From Page To Stage, proved to be costly and failed to meet audience targets. The library's first ever paid show, it attracted about 25,000 people.

Wylie has led the library board since 2013, when Sue Roberts arrived as chief executive. (Roberts  retired in April when her contract expired, after which the position was advertised nationally). Wylie appears to be a key influence in plans to expand the role of technology in the library's future.

with Sonia Harford