Veteran reporter Peter Ryan has died aged 64 after a long battle with thyroid cancer.
The Walkley Award-winning journalist, who worked as a reporter for 45 years with the ABC, was diagnosed with metastatic thyroid cancer in 2014.
His family has confirmed he passed away in Sydney on Friday night.
Peter began his career as a cadet at the Sydney Daily Mirror before landing a job at the ABC.
He worked as the head of TV news and current affairs in Victoria, before becoming the ABC’s Washington bureau chief and the founding editor of Lateline Business, which later became The Business.
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Veteran reporter Peter Ryan (pictured) has died aged 64 after a battle with thyroid cancer
In 2017, Peter won the Walkley Award for his coverage of the Commonwealth Bank scandal. Pictured at the Walkley Awards
In 2017, Peter won the Walkley Award for his coverage of the Commonwealth Bank scandal, which exposed deposit machines being used by drug syndicates to launder millions of dollars.
His coverage contributed to the calling of the banking Royal Commission.
In 2018, he was the National Press Club Finance Journalist of the Year.
He was also awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2022 for his service to journalism.
Peter was a senior business correspondent from 2016 until he retired in June.
Peter moved into palliative care and wanted to spend more time with his wife Mary Cotter and daughter Charlotte.
Following his retirement, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said: ‘Peter Ryan is an absolute legend.
‘Every day as you wake up and you think about what’s happening in the economy, if you only needed to listen to one voice to be sure that you got its essential elements, it would be Peter’s.’
He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2022 for his service to journalism
The ABC has paid tribute to the veteran reporter in a statement following news of his passing.
‘The ABC is deeply saddened by the death of our great friend and esteemed colleague Peter Ryan,’ the statement read.
‘After a distinguished 45-year career in journalism Peter retired from the ABC last month due to ill health.
‘We extend our heartfelt condolences to Peter’s family.’
ABC News Director Justin Stevens also said Peter has left a ‘significant legacy’ and ‘touched the lives of many’.
‘Through his journalism, he had a profound impact on the lives of Australians and our society. It was a privilege to know him and work alongside him.’
