Lisa Wilkinson hits back at criticism over 24-year-old daughter’s new job

Lisa Wilkinson has hit back after her 24-year-old daughter’s appointment to a top job sparked a wave of criticism.

Lisa Wilkinson and Peter FitzSimons have both taken to social media to hit back at critics after their 24-year-old daughter scored a plum role as an editor.

Billi FitzSimons’ columnist father, Peter FitzSimons, was quick to respond after questions were asked about his daughter’s experience after she revealed she had scored a role as editor at an Australian publication.

Ms FitzSimons was promoted to the coveted role of editor of the “social media first” publication, The Daily Aus. But naysayers were quick to point out how young she was and questioned whether this made her suitable for the role.

Her father hit back on Twitter.

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Her mother was made editor of Dolly at the age of 21, and went well. In Billi's case she is Editor of a platform that is going after a mob her age, in their 20s, and getting them in droves. 330,000 followers in last couple of years or so. She works like a demon, and will go well. https://t.co/fYCrAToh5l

— Peter FitzSimons (@Peter_Fitz) March 21, 2022

Author Peter FitzSimons and his children Jake, Billi and Louis when they were younger.

“Pardon my ignorance but the young lady seems well, young, to be an editor,” a Twitter user said.

“Experience? Real life understanding? Wish her well in the role, but …”

However, Mr FitzSimons was having none of it.

“Her mother was made editor of Dolly at the age of 21, and went well,” he wrote.

“In Billi’s case she is Editor of a platform that is going after a mob her age, in their 20s, and getting them in droves.

“330,000 followers in last couple of years or so. She works like a demon, and will go well.”

In a subsequent tweet, the 60-year-old shared a photo of he and his daughter, adding that he was “very proud of her”.

Then, on Tuesday afternoon, Wilkinson also weighed in, defending her daughter’s promotion.

Our daughter, @BilliFitzSimons is 24. The instagram platform she just became editor of is a brilliant new way to get your news. Targeted at young people, many of whom don’t trust MSM. I use it every day. If you’re not following @TheDailyAus on instagram you’re missing out. 👏👏👏 https://t.co/tvFAN8aI6I

— Lisa Wilkinson (@Lisa_Wilkinson) March 22, 2022

“Our daughter is 24. The Instagram platform she just became editor of is a brilliant new way to get your news. Targeted at young people, many of whom don’t trust MSM. I use it every day,” she wrote on Twitter.

Very proud of her. https://t.co/HlpUSvbhxNpic.twitter.com/XeWVi5GMQz

— Peter FitzSimons (@Peter_Fitz) March 21, 2022

Billi FitzSimons and Australian television presenter Lisa Wilkinson in 2019. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Lisa Wilkinson and daughter Billi FitzSimons in 2017. Picture: Paul Miller

Wilkinson was appointed editor of Dolly magazine at the age of 21, and her daughter is not far behind, scoring a similarly high-profile role at 24.

Billi’s career in journalism started when she was appointed as an editorial assistant at Mamamia in 2018 before securing a role as a news writer 18 months later.

Mamamia was created by media stalwart Mia Freedman, and Wilkinson famously hired Freedman as an intern at Dolly magazine 30 years earlier.

Just five months after that promotion, Billi FitzSimons was promoted to senior news writer before leaving that role and joining The Daily Aus as a political journalist in 2021.

Ms FitzSimons’ initial move to The Daily Aus was also celebrated by her mother in a touching tweet published on August 30.

“Very proud,” she wrote.

“And their Insta account is particularly good for quick hits of daily news.”

The Daily Aus was founded by lawyer and journalist Sam Koslowski and former political staffer and journalist Zara Seidler.

It primarily posts news explainers on its platforms as well as producing original content and podcasts. It brands itself as “accessible news for young Aussies”.

Originally published as Lisa Wilkinson hits back at criticism over 24-year-old daughter’s new job