After five years on the couch, Lisa Millar is leaving ABC News Breakfast to focus full-time on other projects across the ABC.
The journalist and presenter departs as News Breakfast co-host on 23 August but will remain a regular presence on the ABC, continuing on as narrator of the series Muster Dogs – recently nominated for a Logie – guest presenter of Back Roads, and co-host of podcast series The Newsreader. Millar will also present Muster Dogs: Where are they now? later this year.
Millar’s first stint on News Breakfast was in 2018, before joining fellow host Michael Rowland on the couch permanently the following year.
“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.
“In 35 years of journalism I’ve never done anything so exciting, unpredictable, and fun. It’s only worked because of the awesome team in front of the cameras and behind the scenes who kept me laughing.
“Most importantly, I want to thank our viewers who brought me into their homes and lives every morning. I’ve loved sharing breakfast with you all.
“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 joined the ABC in 1993 and is one of the ABC’s longest-serving foreign correspondents, serving as Bureau Chief in both the US and Europe.
She has covered stories including US presidential elections, the Boston bombing, the Sandy Hook school shooting, Hurricane Sandy, the terrorist attacks in Paris, as well as royal weddings and Olympic Games.
Director, ABC News Justin Stevens said: “Lisa Millar is a superb journalist and broadcaster who personifies the very best values and attributes of ABC journalists. We value her immensely. 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.
“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.”