Bridget Brennan has been announced as the new co-host of News Breakfast, taking over the role from Lisa Millar who is moving on after five years.
On Thursday morning, Brennan shared the news with viewers, alongside Millar and fellow presenter Michael Rowland.
A Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta woman, Brennan is an experienced journalist and presenter. She’s been with the ABC since 2010, most recently as the Indigenous Affairs Editor.
“I’m really honoured and excited to be taking up this spot on the couch, alongside our amazing team,” she said.
“I’m so grateful to Lisa and Michael for showing me the ropes and being wonderful mentors while I’ve adjusted to early starts and all the twists and turns that live television throws at you.”
“I didn’t grow up watching Aboriginal women on the news, so it’s really an important moment for my mob as well.”
Brennan was instrumental in launching the ABC’s Indigenous Affairs Unit in 2017.
Her reporting on the crisis of missing and murdered Aboriginal women alongside Suzanne Dredge and Brooke Fryer broke new ground, according to the ABC. It was the first all-female Indigenous team to report on an episode of Four Corners.
“How Many More?” was a story that put faces to the names of more than 300 women who’ve gone missing, been murdered or killed across Australia since 2000. It won the Gold Quill, which is the top award at the 2023 Quill Awards for Excellence in Victorian Journalism.
“Bridget is such a delightful friend and workmate – smart, intuitive and kind,” Millar said about the move.
“I can’t wait to see the impact she’ll have in this role, especially with our audience, who have already enthusiastically embraced her as a familiar part of their morning.”
Rowland also welcomed the move, saying, “Bridget has been such a breath of fresh air since joining the show and I am delighted she’ll now be my main co-presenter.”
“Bridget brings to the job enormous news heft, but also a love of music, film, food and bad jokes (mine, mostly). All the things that make News Breakfast tick!”