Lisa Millar named as new co-host of ABC News Breakfast

The ABC has presented its new co-host for News Breakfast, taking over from Virginia Trioli.

New ABC News Breakfast co-host Lisa Millar.

ABC has promoted long-serving journalist Lisa Millar as the new co-host of its morning television show News Breakfast, joining Michael Rowland on the sofa.

Millar, who started at the public broadcaster in 1993, will take over on August 19 from the show’s current co-host Virginia Trioli, who was tapped last month to replace long-serving host Jon Faine on Melbourne Mornings radio program.

In an unusual move, Rowland made the announcement live on TV this morning after flagging on Twitter last night that the announcement would be made at 7.45am.

And,...it's LISA!! Please welcome the fabulous @LisaMillar to the breakfast couch! Can't wait to work alongside my old friend. Lisa takes over from Virginia on Aug 19. Send her some love! @abcnews @abctv @BreakfastNews pic.twitter.com/SgNgK3zovh

— Michael Rowland (@mjrowland68) June 18, 2019

Rowland said he was very pleased that Millar was taking over from Trioli, noting he had known her for 23 years. The pair has worked together on and off over the years at the ABC.

“She’s undoubtedly one of this country’s finest journalists and brings a genuine warmth and empathy to the screen. And we’re great mates,” he said.

Millar, who began her career as cadet on Queensland’s The Gympie Times, has worked extensively in the US and UK for several years before returning to Australia last year in October. Since then, Millar has held a roving reporting and presenting role, including as a regular guest presenter on Back Roads.

O what has she let herself in for? Only the best job on breakfast TV! I’m just thrilled that the brilliant @LisaMillar will take over from me on @BreakfastNews from 19 August. Go well, friend. x pic.twitter.com/oDrKEXCzxK

— Virginia Trioli (@LaTrioli) June 18, 2019

ABC also announced that Rowland’s workload would be increasing, and that he would anchor “coverage of big local and world events across ABC News programs and platforms, including the 7pm News”. He covered the Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi and Bob Hawke’s memorial service last Friday.

“I look forward to drawing on my experience as a foreign correspondent, and the dozens of on-location broadcasts I’ve hosted for News Breakfast over the years, to bring to ABC audiences breaking stories from around Australia and around the world,” Rowland said.

It's not the first time @mjrowland68 and @LisaMillar have worked together. Get the full backstory on your new host here https://t.co/vM36oc0XRs pic.twitter.com/KBRnkFxOTL

— News Breakfast (@BreakfastNews) June 18, 2019

Trioli, who started in radio, will wrap up on News Breakfast on August 15 after nearly 11 years on the show, which has made ratings inroads against Nine’s embattled Today show this year.

Nine’s appointment of journalist Deborah Knight as co-host of Today, along with Georgie Gardner, following the high-profile axing of Karl Stefanovic last December has failed to impress TV viewers. Seven’s Sunrise, hosted by Samantha Armytage and David Koche, remains the most popular TV breakfast show in the country.

ABC recently announced Sky News journalist David Speers would take over the hosting of its Sunday political morning show Insiders next year from long-serving host Barrie Cassidy, who fronted his last episode less than a fortnight ago.

For the remainder of the year, Annabel Crabb and Fran Kelly will share hosting duties of Insiders, the ABC announced on June 5.

Faine announced in January that he would leave the public broadcaster at the end of year after 23 years.