Nine has announced movements to its news desks on the Gold Coast and in Darwin.
Paul Taylor will be embracing a sea change in 2023 as he prepares to join 9News Gold Coast as the bulletin’s new weeknight presenter alongside Eva Milic.
“PT”, as he is affectionately known, will be a familiar face to loyal 9News Gold Coast viewers since sharing the 9News Queensland 4.00 pm desk for the past 18 months and keeping Darwin updated with the latest NT stories since the localised 6.00 pm bulletin returned in 2020.
Taylor said: “To not only call the Gold Coast home but now my office is a dream come true. While crocodile stories will be far and few between, I’m excited by everything else this great city has to offer. From the great beaches to the even better people, the vibrant surf clubs to the sensational supercars, it’s pure paradise.
“I have big shoes to fill following in the footsteps of Bruce Paige, who defines ‘TV legend’, but I look forward to every step of this new adventure, especially with Eva by my side. It’s the beginning of a great partnership and I’m counting down the days.”
Milic said: “If the Gold Coast hasn’t fallen in love with PT already, they’re about to. Paul is an incredible newsman who boasts contagious energy matched with a warm nature. He has been a friend for some years since we worked together in Brisbane, so I look forward to picking up where we left off.”
Nine Queensland director of news, Amanda Paterson, said: “Paul is and has always been a professional in his field. He has uniquely connected with 9News viewers in every regional corner of the Sunshine State as well as up north, so it’ll be a joy to watch him make his mark on the Gold Coast too.
“Together, Paul and Eva make a great team and are bound to take the most trusted and watched local news service to even greater heights.”
The change comes as Bruce Paige, who has called 9News Gold Coast home for the past 12 years, is stepping away from presenting to return to the 9News Brisbane newsroom as the special seniors reporter.
Paul Murphy
Meanwhile, 9News Darwin executive producer Paul Murphy will take over the weeknight bulletin as he becomes the new presenter in 2023, taking over from Taylor as he moves to the Gold Coast desk.
Since the localised 6.00pm bulletin returned in 2020, Murphy has ensured Territorians are told the local stories that matter and kept informed about the latest news from around Australia and the world.
Murphy said: “2023 will certainly be an exciting year. Paul Taylor has always been a great colleague and an even better mate, so it’s a rewarding feeling getting to pursue new opportunities together.
“I take great pride in giving the Territory community a voice and now being able to tell those stories myself makes it even more special. Stoked would be an understatement.”
News director of Nine Darwin, Amanda Paterson, said: “From one Paul to the other, 9News Darwin will continue to deliver premium-quality news that its valued viewers know and trust.
“Darwin loves having a local news presence just as Murph does. He has a unique understanding of the audience, so it’ll be great for him to connect with them wherever they tune in from each week night at 6.00pm.”
General manager of Nine Darwin, Steve Shervill, said: “Murph is greatly admired by the talented journalists and crew that make up the Darwin newsroom, so he’s the perfect person for the gig. He has been and continues to be the backbone of delivering local news content that matters and we’re extremely proud of. On behalf of everyone at 9News Darwin, we’re excited to see him flourish in his new role.
“Since 2020, Paul Taylor has brought a wonderful energy to the bulletin that he will inevitably take to 9News Gold Coast in the new year. We wish him every success in his new 9News studio.”
9News Gold Coast with Paul Taylor and Eva Milic will commence week nights from 5.30pm on Monday, January 30, 2023.
9News Darwin with Paul Murphy will commence weeknights from 6.00pm on Monday, January 30, 2023.
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Top image left to right: Eva Milic, Bruce Paige and Paul Taylor