Virginia Haussegger

Virginia Haussegger, AM (born 21 March 1964), is an Australian journalist, media commentator and television presenter.
Haussegger presented ABC News in Canberra from 2001 until 2016.

She was previously a reporter and presenter of the ABC's national program 7:30 Report, and was a senior reporter at Channel Nine and the Seven Network on flagship current affairs programs. In addition to broadcast, she is a columnist and leading commentator on a range of social and gender issues and is published across various Australian media. She was awarded the United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Prize for her coverage of Indigenous Affairs in 1996.

In September 2016, Haussegger announced that she would be leaving ABC News in October to take up a role at the University of Canberra's 50/50 by 2030 Foundation.

She is the author of Wonder Woman: The Myth of Having it All which examines issues of feminism, fertility and female choice.

She has promoted public awareness of the non-government organisation Mahboba's Promise that assists women, widows and orphans in Afghanistan. Virginia has served on the board of UN Women National Committee Australia since late 2010.

She is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra, IGPA, Institute For Governance and Policy Analysis. http://www.governanceinstitute.edu.au/

In 2016, she wrote an article for The Sydney Morning Herald mentioning journalist Samantha Armytage, labelling her a "mindless bimbo", saying that "when it comes to the important stuff of the day – the stuff that makes the news – there is a screaming lack of representation of women's knowledge, wisdom and expertise."

In the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours List, Haussegger was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), for "significant service to the community, particularly as an advocate for women's rights and gender equity, and to the media".

On 15 October 2005, she married fellow journalist, Mark Kenny, who is now the national political editor for Fairfax Media. It is the second marriage for both. Australian National University academic, John Warhurst describes them as one of Canberra's most powerful couples.