ABC journalist and presenter Lisa Millar has announced she is stepping down from her role as co-presenter of ABC News Breakfast. The distinguished journalist first appeared alongside co-host Michael Rowland in 2018 before permanently joining the team in August 2019.
Announcing her departure on the show this morning, Millar, 55, reflected fondly on the past five years.
“What a blast the past five years has been, whether it was interviewing prime ministers and global thought leaders or getting karaoke encouragement from my childhood idol Gladys Knight,” she said.
“I’m excited to hit the road and discover more of the incredible stories that make up the remarkable tapestry of our culture. There are so many adventures ahead, whether it be with Back Roads, Muster Dogs or new projects we’re cooking up. What a privilege it is to be a part of that future.”
Millar is the narrator of Muster Dogs, a Logie-nominated series that follows Border Collie puppies’ journeys towards becoming champion muster dogs. She is also the guest presenter of Back Roads, and a co-host of the podcast The Newsreader.
“In 35 years of journalism I’ve never done anything so exciting, unpredictable, and fun,” she continued. “It’s only worked because of the awesome team in front of the cameras and behind the scenes who kept me laughing.”
“I want to thank our viewers who brought me into their homes and lives every morning. I’ve loved sharing breakfast with you all.”
In 2019, Millar spoke about her role, saying, “I don’t think there’s any job quite like News Breakfast. You can be interviewing the prime minister one hour, and Leo Sayer or Jimmy Barnes the next.”
Fellow ABC journalist and presenter Leigh Sales praised Millar’s character and personality, describing her departure from News Breakfast as a “huge loss.”
“What a huge loss for ABC news breakfast to see the dynamic Lisa Millar @lisamillartv set to depart the couch – but what a win for the ABC to be getting more of her work on Back Roads and Muster Dogs,” the former 7:30 host wrote on Facebook.
“The one thing I know after 25 years working with this woman is whatever she delivers is done with quality, warmth and integrity. You get a colleague like Lisa working alongside you once in a lifetime and Michael Rowland @mjrowland68 and the team have benefited hugely from having her there for five years. I’m proud of the amazing job she’s done and can’t wait for the next chapter!”
ABC presenter and journalist Annabel Crabb also expressed her commendation towards Millar, praising her on Instagram as “…one of the most generous, diligent, resilient and decent colleagues I’ve observed / worked with.”
“Always open to everyone you meet, never making it about yourself,” Crabb said. “Congratulations on surviving five years of absurd starts. Looking forward to your next move.”
ABC News director Justin Stevens described Millar as “a superb journalist and broadcaster who personifies the very best values and attributes of ABC journalists.”
“While we’re sad to lose her from News, I’m excited to see her take up this opportunity and continue to go from strength to strength at the ABC,” he said this morning.
“She’s done a fantastic job presenting News Breakfast over the past five years — one of the toughest jobs in Australian TV. The relentless hours never impeded her incredible warmth and energy, or her passion for delivering the best program for the audience.”
Millar’s career in journalism began in editorial and TV, when she worked at the Brisbane tabloid The Sun and WIN TV in Townsville. In 1993, she joined the ABC as a North Queensland correspondent where she covered state and federal politics.
She hosted the Queensland edition of Stateline and in 1996, covered the federal election alongside future co-host Michael Rowland.
In 2005, she awarded a Walkley Award for Investigative Journalism alongside her colleagues Margot ONeill, Hamish Fitzsimmons and Tom Iggulden for their Lateline episode on ABC TV about the wrongful deportation of Vivian Solon by a senior Immigration Department official in 2001.
Throughout her illustrious career, she has been the ABC’s North American correspondent, its North American Bureau Chief, and the Bureau Chief in London, making her one of the broadcaster’s longest-serving foreign correspondents.
In 2021, she published a memoir, Daring to Fly, which was described by Lisa Wilkinson as an “utterly inspirational story” of Millar’s youth growing up in country Queensland and her journey towards conquering her fear of flying to becoming one of the country’s most notable journalists.
Millar’s last day of presenting on the News Breakfast couch will be Friday, August 23.
Image credit: Instagram @lisamillartv