The Project’s Hamish Macdonald to replace Tony Jones as Q&A host

The new face of Q&A has finally been announced as the ABC program’s first ever host Tony Jones steps down after 11 years.

The Project’s Hamish Macdonald has been announced as the new host for current affairs panel show Q&A, as Tony Jones steps down after 11 years at the helm.

“The ABC is delighted to announce that Hamish Macdonald will join the ABC as the new host of weekly flagship discussion program Q&A and as a senior presenter across television and radio,” the ABC said in a statement.

Channel 10 has confirmed Macdonald will continue to appear on The Project and The Sunday Project.

“Network 10 warmly congratulates Hamish Macdonald on his new role as the host of Q&A,” Channel 10 said in a statement.

“Hamish is one of Australia’s most respected broadcast journalists and news presenters and is most deserving of this prestigious position.

“As well as hosting Q&A, Hamish will continue as a valued member of The Project family.”

Meanwhile, the ABC has confirmed Macdonald will continue to appear on RN Breakfast.

The announcement was included in the ABC’s 2020 programming release, with the network later confirming that Macdonald will take up the hosting gig from February next year.

“I’m so passionate about telling the big stories of our time through Australian eyes, for an Australian audience,” Macdonald said in a statement.

“This role will be a huge opportunity to make the most complicated issues accessible, engaging and exciting for all Australians, no matter where you live, no matter what you believe.

“I’m proud to join this great Australian institution and can’t wait to serve the audience by continuing the big and important conversations each week.”

ABC’S news director Gaven Morris said he was excited to have such an “accomplished broadcaster” on board.

“Hosting Q&A requires a special set of skills,” he said. “It needs someone who is articulate and also a great listener, well connected, interested in everything and fully across news and current events at home and abroad.”

Morris continued: “Hamish can do all of that – and also brings his own brand of warmth and energy that audiences love. He is a terrific communicator, and an experienced and accomplished broadcaster.”

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The news comes weeks after Jones suffered an embarrassing blow from Media Watch after falsely suggesting only 5000 people watched Sky News after 6pm.

Tony Jones will step down as host of Q&A.

The 63-year-old political journalist was forced to issue an on-air correction after the blunder was pulled up by Paul Barry.

Q&A host Tony Jones has suffered an embarrassing blow from Media Watch after falsely suggesting only 5,000 people watched Sky News after 6pm.https://t.co/cyL89otw6U

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) September 10, 2019

Over his years as host of Q&A, Jones has overseen his fair share of controversial episodes, including the moment in 2010 when an audience member threw a pair of shoes at former prime minister John Howard.

And in 2015, he made headlines for inviting Zaky Mallah, a former terror suspect, to ask a question of a minister from the live audience.

Prior to his appearance on the program, Mallah had tweeted that two female journalists should be gang raped.

At the time, Jones said Q&A was unaware of the “very offensive, misogynistic tweet” posted before his controversial appearance.

Tony Jones admitted the ABC “made an error in judgment” in allowing one-time terror suspect Zaky Mallah to join the Q&A audience. Picture: Supplied.

Macdonald, 38, was previously contracted with ABC television as a senior foreign correspondent based in London and the US.

His 2014 contract reportedly allowed him to accept limited outside work with other organisations.

The former Al Jazeera journalist has also been a regular broadcaster on ABC Radio National between appearances on The Project.

Q&A airs Monday nights at 9.30pm on ABC