The Scoop: Brisbane’s Channel 9 newsroom grappling with staff exodus

Senior figures have been filing out the door of Brisbane’s TV newsrooms, jumping into government roles. But insiders say there’s more to the story in some cases.

A number of Brisbane television journalists have left newsrooms to go into government roles.

Channel 9 Brisbane is grappling with a fresh wave of departures as several high-profile staff members have left to join Premier David Crisafulli’s newly formed government team.

Leading the exit is Cam Inglis, a 9News reporter set to take on the role of media adviser to Crisafulli next week.

Joining him is colleague Meg Sydes, who is leaving Nine to work with MP Tim Mander. Meanwhile, former Nine News and Seven Network chief of staff Jordan Fabris has been appointed as a senior adviser within the LNP.

The departures come amid broader changes at Nine Brisbane following the shock exit of news director Amanda Paterson.

Her rumoured successor, Brendan Hocking, is reportedly stepping into a challenging environment described by insiders as a “turbulent newsroom.”

While the movement of talent reflects the strong appeal of government roles, sources suggest the ongoing turnover underscores deeper issues within Nine’s Brisbane newsroom, which has seen a steady stream of key figures departing in recent months.

Insiders claim many staff were “happy to leave,” often skipping lengthy negotiations or salary demands when approached by the LNP with job offers.

Former Sunrise senior producer Amy McCann, and 7news reporter Rachel Baxter are also making the leap to the LNP, reportedly drawn to what sources describe as “a fresh and dynamic team.”

This exodus is eerily reminiscent of the Palaszczuk era, when Nine’s newsroom faced a similar talent drain, including the departure of network political editor Lane Calcutt in 2022.

As the LNP continues its media raid, speculation swirls that more Nine staff are set to follow. Among those rumoured to be jumping ship are a prominent A Current Affair reporter and another 9 news reporter.

FAMOUS AUSSIE SPORTSMAN SNAPPED IN PUBLIC CLINCH

Former Aussie cricket captain Michael Clarke has been spotted on the Gold Coast in a PDA with his latest flame, Arabella Sherborne.

Sherborne posted a photograph to her Instagram story on Friday of her and Clarke locking lips at Rick Shores at Burleigh Heads, home of the famous Moreton Bay bug roll.

The hip venue in the Burleigh Pavilion was among the first spots the pair publicly debuted their new romance earlier this year.

Clarke and Sherborne made their relationship public in the same location.

They began dating about 18 months after Clarke’s very public bust-up from interior designer Jade Yarborough – sister-in-law of Today Show star Karl Stefanovic – in a Noosa park in January last year.

Jade is reportedly now dating wealthy Gold Coast property developer Paul Gedoun.

NEW BUSINESS MOVE MUST BE A GOOD SIGN?

Surely it has to be an omen for long-suffering Brisbane Broncos fans?

Star Brisbane recruit Ben Hunt, who this week signed a two-year deal to return to Red Hill where he started his NRL career in 2009, registered a new company late last year called BH Performance Horses.

The company, set up when he was still a St George Illawarra Dragon, is a campdrafting and cutting horse breeding business based in Hunt’s hometown of Rockhampton.

Hunt is a keen horseman and plans to get back into campdrafting and cutting – a sport made famous in the hit TV series Yellowstone starring Kevin Costner – when he retires from rugby league after his Broncos contract ends in 2026.

Ben Hunt has gone into business in his hometown of Rockhampton. Picture:

Broncos fans will be hoping Hunt can help turn the team into “performance horses” next season and end their near two decade-long premiership drought.

Meanwhile, long-time Broncos communications boss Steele Tallon rode off into the sunset this week after parting ways with the club.

“Full-time whistle blows after 184 games behind the scenes at the Broncos,” he posted on social media.

“A decent old ride in the ‘rugba leeg’. Thanks to some great friends at the club and across the game – was a privilege to carry the baton in a role that only a handful have lived and breathed since 1988. Now it’s onto the next (challenge).”

NRL ROYALTY SPOTTED AT THE PAV

Punters at Gold Coast hotspot the Burleigh Pavilion have been treated to a couple of celebrity drinkers in their midst – including NRL superstar Nathan Cleary.

Cleary, his premiership-winning Penrith Panthers teammate Liam Martin hit the ‘Pav’ last weekend, much to the delight of fellow patrons. Also there was Cleary’s dad and coach, NRL cult hero Ivan.

Goldy engineer Jay Hoogervorst, who was lunching at the Pav with his partner, Brisbane aesthetic dentist Dr Leila Haywood, was among fans to get a happy snap with Cleary.

Nathan Cleary and Jay Hoogervorst at the Burleigh Pavilion. Photo: Supplied.

“He was really chilled and friendly and happy to pose for a pic,” Hoogervost said.

“A lot of people were getting selfies with Liam Martin too – he’s a legend and such a great guy. I’ve been a Wests Tigers fan all my life but love what the Panthers have done in the last few years.”

Tigers-bound former Penrith star Jarome Luai was also reportedly on the Glitter Strip over the weekend.

Nathan Clearly recently returned from Europe where he spent some quality time with his partner, Matildas star Mary Fowler who plays for English club Manchester City.

Cleary is having off-season shoulder surgery before he and the Panthers try for a fifth successive premiership.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR SCHAPELLE CORBY?

Is time ticking on Schapelle Corby’s epoxy clock business? Corby began making and selling the colourful clocks on Instagram to earn income after being released from Bali’s notorious Kerobokan jail in 2014 after serving nine years of a 20-year sentence for drug smuggling.

But in a cryptic post to the platform this week with a crying emoji, Australia’s most infamous former inmate indicated she could be shutting up shop.

Schapelle Corby is winding down her craft business. Picture: Supplied

“This may be the last year for me to create my epoxy art,” she wrote. “If you’ve been thinking of purchasing one of my creations – now is the time.

“I will continue to create until my supply of products ie: resin, wood, boxes are depleted.

“This saddens me. Life is changing, I’m not sure how my resin obsession hobby will fit in. At this point I just don’t know.

“Still a few weeks til Christmas cut-off. You’ll continue to see me here each Wednesday until my product is done.

“Thanks to each and everyone who has supported me in my clock creations by joining in on my clock (sale) Wednesdays (and) also purchasing my clocks.

“I really hope I can find a way to continue my hobby at some point. Love you all. Pelle.”

MAROONS LEGEND IN HIGH DEMAND

NRL legend turned Maroons coach Billy Slater is very comfortable on a horse, but he’ll have a bit of a tricky balancing act at next month’s Magic Millions carnival on the Gold Coast, where he’s one of the ambassadors.

Slater is also a commentator for Channel 9, which broadcast this year’s Melbourne Cup for the first time. Slater did the post-race interview with Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan on horseback.

illy Slater during a previous appearance at Magic Millions. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

But making things a bit awkward for Slater is the fact that arch rival network Channel 7 is the Magic Millions broadcaster.

Speaking to Sunday Scoop this week, the Maroons and Melbourne Storm great acknowledged the conflict but was confident he could take it in his stride.

“Channel 9 are fantastic to work with and I think there’s a lot of loyalty and respect within the relationship,” he said.

“Obviously with all this stuff, I make sure that I’ve got their blessing and try and do my best for everyone that I work for and everyone in my life.

“You do have to be conscious of the conflict, but at the same time, as long as you’re authentic and respectful to everyone, it’s probably a way to look at life, isn’t it?”

GOLD COAST HOSTS ASIA PACIFIC FILM AWARDS

The Gold Coast has once again cemented its status as the epicentre of Australia’s film industry, as it played host to the 17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards and the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Forum this weekend.

In what is set to be the largest gathering of screen industry professionals from the Asia Pacific region that Australia has ever seen, 300 guests graced the Diamond Ballroom of The Langham on Saturday night.

Australian screen legend and APSA Academy President, Jack Thompson, was among the luminaries attending.

The event also featured international stars such as Chris Pang of “Crazy Rich Asians” fame, Thai filmmaker Pen-ek Ratanaruang, and New Zealand actor and producer Cliff Curtis from the “Avatar” films.

Hosting the gala was Australia’s own Nina Oyama, known for her roles in “Deadloch” and “Utopia”.

Crazy Rich Asians star Chris Pang. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Pang, who was also a jury member for the awards expressed excitement over the city’s role in fostering international cinematic ties.

“Gold Coast is kind of killing it – we’re doing some cool stuff here – I think the Gold Coast is kind of crushing it right now,” Pang said.

APSA, regarded as the region’s highest accolade in film, celebrates cultural diversity across 78 countries, representing a staggering 4.5 billion people.

This year’s theme centred around ‘Land’, delving deep into narratives of identity, sovereignty, and environmental connections.

BRISBANE RADIO HIT BY SHOCK SCA REDUNDANCIES

Brisbane’s radio industry has been dealt another blow, with Southern Cross Austereo — the parent company of B105 and Triple M — allegedly dismantling its entire Brisbane communications and PR department in a dramatic round of redundancies announced on Friday.

The alleged decision, said to be part of SCA’s ongoing cost-cutting measures, has sparked shockwaves across the industry, with insiders describing the move as “brutal” and raising concerns about the company’s future direction.

This comes on the heels of November’s announcement that Triple M’s popular Brisbane drivetime show would be axed, leaving beloved hosts Leisel Jones, Liam Flanagan, and Ben “Dobbo” Dobbin without roles.

Liam, Leisel Jones & Dobbo. Picture: Triple M

The program aired its final broadcast on Friday, marking the end of an era for Brisbane radio.

As of 2025, Melbourne’s Marty Sheargold Show will take over, with the syndicated program replacing Brisbane’s locally produced content.

In a bittersweet farewell, the Triple M team decorated the studio with balloons and streamers for their last show, bidding an emotional goodbye to their loyal listeners and the Brisbane airwaves.