Senior ABC boss Nick Harmsen defects to Labor state government as chief media adviser to Premier Peter Malinauskas

One of the state’s most senior journalists has defected to the state government to become the chief spin doctor to the premier.

ABC presenter Jessica and her then fiance Nick Harmsen at their Mile End home. Picture: Keith Angela

One of the state’s most senior broadcast journalists has defected to the state government.

Acting South Australian ABC editor Nick Harmsen has been appointed as chief media adviser to Premier Peter Malinauskas.

Harmsen, who has worked at the public broadcaster for almost 15 years, will start next month.

The premier’s current spinner, Adam Todd, will stay as Mr Malinauskas’ director of media and communications.

Harmsen, who is married to ABC presenter Jessica, surprised staff Friday morning by revealing he was leaving his role, which is the one of the broadcaster’s most senior in SA.

Perth-born Harmsen started at Aunty in January 2003 before landing a gig in Townsville.

He arrived in Adelaide two years later before being appointed state political reporter in 2007, covering the Rann and Weatherill Labor governments.

ABC presenter Jessica Schacht and journalist Nick Harmsen on their wedding day.

The premier’s current spinner Adam Todd (left) will stay as director of media and communications. Picture: Dean Martin

Senior government sources said officials always had a “plan to get the Premier a separate media adviser”.

The hiring brings the total number of Labor spin doctors to 14.

It is understood at least one other media adviser is still being sought after the government struggled to fill roles.

It is unclear what Harmsen’s salary will be but other senior media advisers are paid almost $140,000.

Todd, himself a former television political reporter and Messenger journalist before joining Labor under Jay Weatherill, was earning $176,001 before the end of financial year.

Harmsen was unavailable for comment.