The biggest Brisbane radio scandals and shocking host exits of the year
Brisbane’s radio landscape has undergone a turbulent 12 months, marked by high-profile departures, controversial sackings, and significant programming shifts.
Brisbane’s radio landscape has undergone a turbulent 12 months, marked by high-profile departures, controversial sackings, and significant programming shifts.
From longstanding hosts leaving their posts to regulatory breaches and network reshuffles, the past 12 months have been a period of upheaval for the city’s airwaves.
We delve into the scandals, shocks, and movements that have shaped Brisbane radio >>>
September 13, 2024
Laurel Edwards, Gary Clare, and Mark Hine exited 4BC’s breakfast show as part of a strategic shift in the station’s programming.
Head of Content for Nine Radio, Greg Byrnes acknowledged the trio’s legacy, saying, “Laurel, Gary, and Mark have been a vital part of our live and local content strategy. It’s been a privilege to have them engage with Brisbane listeners, but we’ve decided to take a new approach to breakfast.”
Meanwhile it was announced Corey Parker would be pitted against wife Margaux in Brisbane’s radio wars, with the Broncos great joining Ian Healy on the SEN breakfast program.
September 2024
Veteran journalist Peter Gleeson left his role as drive presenter at 4BC to take on a new position as CEO of the Q Greyhound Complex.
Gleeson, who joined 4BC in 2023 told listeners he was leaving with a “heavy heart.”
“I will be leaving 4BC, with much heartache and regret. I’ve taken on a role that is right in my wheelhouse. I’ve been appointed CEO of the new greyhound facility at Yamanto,” Gleeson said.
Meanwhile popular newsreader Steve Barker officially quit 4BC, sparking concerns of a mass exodus from the embattled Nine Radio station.
October 18, 2024
“A bit over 10 years ago now, when I pretty much had nothing going on in my life, to be honest … I joked that it saved my life at the time, but it came at a really good time for me,” she said.
Meanwhile Stav Davidson, Abby Coleman, and Matt Acton of B105’s breakfast show “Stav, Abby & Matt” signed new long-term contracts with Southern Cross Austereo (SCA).
November 25, 2024
Former Brisbane Broncos star Corey Oates officially joined KIIS 97.3’s breakfast line-up alongside Robin Bailey and Kip Wightman, with the program rebranded Robin, Kip & Corey Oates.
The signing followed Oates’ retirement from the NRL in October and his popular on-air stint as part of the show’s “Find Corey a Job” segment.
After trying his hand at everything from comedy to traffic reporting, Oates revealed his new permanent gig live on air.
November 27, 2024
Comedian, TV personality and QWeekend columnist Nikki Osborne was announced as the new co-host of Nova 106.9’s breakfast show, joining Ash Bradnam and David “Luttsy” Lutteral for the revamped Ash, Luttsy & Nikki Osborne program, which launched in January 2025.
Osborne replaced Olympic swimmer Susie O’Neill, who stepped down after more than a decade on air. A Brisbane local, Osborne said she was excited to “have a good laugh” with listeners, joking that she had “big flippers to fill.”
January 17, 2025
The Kyle & Jackie O Show, which had been mooted to be a syndicated replacement on Brisbane radio, was revealed to have received nearly half of all decency complaints on Australian radio during the 2023-2024 financial year, prompting promises to “behave” in 2025.
“This content went beyond the bounds of decency expected by the community and was done so deliberately and provocatively,” ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said.
February 26, 2025
Triple M drive host Marty Sheargold left the network after making on-air comments about the Matildas that were widely criticised as disrespectful.
Southern Cross Austereo said the parties had “mutually agreed to part ways,” while Sheargold issued an apology saying he was “deeply sorry to the Matildas and the broader community.”
His program had replaced the Brisbane-based Triple M Rush Hour with Leisel Jones, Liam Flanagan and Ben “Dobbo” Dobbin, who were taken off air at the end of 2024 as part of a national shake-up.
Following Sheargold’s exit, the network reinstated a local drive show, Rush Hour Queensland, hosted by Dobbin and Elliott Lovejoy.
March 16, 2025
ABC national radio services experienced a major outage, affecting broadcasts across the country, including Brisbane.
“The ABC apologises for any inconvenience caused and we are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”
June 18, 2025
Brisbane’s breakfast radio wars were at boiling point with KIIS 97.3’s morning team of Robin, Kip and Corey Oates hit with another ratings setback.
The KIIS team sat below their 2024 average of 11.03 per cent, raising questions about the decision to add Oates earlier in the year.
July 31, 2025
Triple M found itself hot water after NRL coach Wayne Bennett banned the network over a breakfast-show skit that mocked his personal life.
The Brisbane breakfast program, hosted by Greg Martin, Dan Anstey and Margaux Parker, aired a parody that referenced Bennett’s ex-wife and included a crude remark about his partner’s breast size.
Reports said Bennett’s partner heard the segment live and called Triple M to complain.
The network later apologised, admitting the content “fell short of the standards expected by the audience.”
Bennett has since banned Triple M from all South Sydney Rabbitohs media opportunities, with the club backing his decision.
September 26, 2025
Bill McDonald, mornings presenter for 4BC, announced his immediate departure during his live show, reportedly causing confusion among staff.
“I had 30 years in television and after that I wanted to have a go at radio and I have loved the last five years here at 4BC,” he said.
October 17, 2025
Peter Fegan was axed from his breakfast show on 4BC after a year of declining ratings, with Luke Bradnam temporarily stepping in.
The abrupt move was confirmed in an internal email from Content Manager Siobhain McDonnell, who told staff Fegan had “finished up on air as the host of 4BC Breakfast.”
“I thank Peter for his dedication to the station, his show and for bringing a cracking NRL season to life on air with his passion and enthusiasm for his beloved Broncos,” McDonnell wrote.
October 23, 2025
KIIS 97.3 announced the axing of its Brisbane breakfast show Robin, Kip & Corey Oates, ending the short-lived trio’s run as the network prepares to launch what it calls a “bold, entertaining and fast-moving” new program in 2026.
In a statement, a spokesperson for ARN confirmed the show’s final broadcast will air on Friday, December 12, thanking hosts Robin Bailey, Kip Wightman and former Broncos star Corey Oates for their “hard work, creativity and commitment to the Brisbane audience.”
October 29, 2025
Radio insiders were left “gobsmacked” and “disgusted” by KIIS973’s decision to replace the axed Robin Bailey, Kip Wightman, and Corey Oates with Craig “Lowie” Low.
Low was unveiled as the replacement act for the breakfast show trio, with the appointment fuelling speculation the shake-up was paving the way for a Kyle and Jackie O breakfast takeover.
The new show was rebranded as Breakfast with Lowie and was set to launch in early 2026, but the one-man show spurred rumours that Sydney power duo Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson could still be on the cards.
November 24, 2025
A Brisbane radio star swapped his microphone for more time on television, marking the fourth major voice departing the airwaves in a month.
Peter “Salty” Psaltis said it was a tough call to step away from radio after nearly three decades behind the mic, but one he was very comfortable with.
The long-time 4BC host revealed he would finish up at the station after 24 years and shift his focus to television commentary.
The following day the latest Brisbane radio ratings were revealed.
Within days longtime Nova 106.9 breakfast host Ash Bradnam announced his departure from the top-rating Ash, Luttsy and Nikki breakfast show.
