Shake-up for ABC Mackay’s morning show
The national broadcaster says the move does not result in any job cuts.
Mackay
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mackay. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ABC Tropical North’s Mornings program will run out of Townsville instead of Mackay from later this month.
The national broadcaster says there will be no job cuts in the sugar city, rather it gives Mornings presenter Cristy-Lee Macqueen an opportunity to get out from behind the desk and into the broader Mackay community.
The move was not so well received on Twitter after North Queensland rural reporter Tom Major shared his feelings on the change.
“Sad to hear of another regional program being cut in Queensland, with ABC Tropical North (Mackay) Mornings to be replaced by the Townsville show,” he wrote.
“Any loss of engagement with local audiences through a locally presented and produced show reflects poorly on regional media.”
More stories:
Rainforest nudist retreat in the works for Mackay
How social media reunited couple with precious memories
Mackay ‘fugitive’ now stuck in Tasmania because of coronavirus
Was the first Mercury found in a plastic bag?
Former Townsville ABC reporter Megan Woodward, who grew up in Mackay, also lamented the shift.
“That’s absolutely gutting for both staff and audience,” she said.
“Would love to know the rationale behind that decision. How such a move meets the charter defies belief.”
But ABC says Tropical North Mornings presenter Cristy-Lee Macqueen is simply getting out of the studio and into the region to bring her listeners a broader range of stories from Mackay and surrounding communities.
Share your thoughts on this issue through a letter to the editor:
From Wednesday January 27, Sally Rafferty will present the Mornings program from Monday to Thursday from 10-11am and feature stories from Ms Macqueen and the ABC Tropical North team.
Gardening Talkback with Tom Wyatt will continue on Fridays.
Ms Macqueen will be back behind the microphone every Friday to present ABC Tropical North Breakfast to allow Breakfast presenter Meecham Philpott to also get out into the community.
ABC Queensland regional editor Sue McVay said the new arrangement had been successfully trialled elsewhere in the state.
“The change to Mornings in northern Queensland is all about improving our regional news content,” she said.
“Freeing up a presenter to get out into the broader community will mean the region is far better served with more regional voices heard on air each week.”
Subscriber benefits:
Your dose of Harry Bruce cartoons
WATCH: Your guide to reading the Daily Mercury online
Daily puzzles and Sudoku another reason to stay subscribed
Share your story and photos with us: Daily Mercury
New owners revealed: Mining town bakehouse reopens
Just three months after it closed a Whitsunday community welcomed back its only bakery, as the new owners worked with the old to bring fresh bread to the town.
WATCH: Driver found stranded on ute roof in raging floodwaters
A North Queensland man is lucky to be alive after being swept off the road and stranded on the roof of his ute in raging floodwaters for hours — until heroic swift water firefighters came to his rescue. WATCH THE VIDEO.