Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas quits Triple M breakfast hosting gig

Perth Lord Mayor and broadcaster Basil Zempilas has quit his role as a breakfast radio host and said he needs ‘more flexibility’ to cover his various commitments.

Perth Lord Mayor and broadcaster Basil Zempilas has quit his breakfast radio hosting gig, nearly two years after he took up the role.

The 51-year-old co-host of Perth’s Triple M breakfast program has been at the station since the end of 2020 after he departed from Nine Entertainment’s 6PR.

The juggling of his media and political commitments – including when he revealed he was running as a candidate in the Perth mayoral election in mid-2020 – came under extensive criticism, including claims he was using his radio role as a way to promote his bid to become Lord Mayor.

He was appointed Lord Mayor at the end of 2020 and subsequently quit his role at 6PR before moving to Triple M.

Zempilas revealed on Monday he had quit Triple M and his last day would be on Friday, September 23.

He co-hosts the breakfast program alongside Xavier Ellis and Michelle Anderson.

Zempilas said he needed “more flexibility” to juggle his commitments as Lord Mayor and a broadcaster.

“Right now, I need more flexibility in my day and I’m very grateful Triple M have been so accommodating,” he said.

“It’s no secret I’ve been ‘coming and going’ quite a bit over the last couple of months and between now and the end of the year there’s an extra step up in my travel commitments.

“As much as I’d like to be in two places at once, the right call is to finish up at Triple M after the Grand Final weekend.”

Zempilas was involved in the launch of Triple M in Perth – owned by Southern Cross Austereo – which was previously Hit 92.9 and shifted to adopt a mainstream rock format.

The breakfast program in the last radio ratings survey was in seventh place with an audience share of 6.4 percentage points.

Earlier this year Seven announced Zempilas was stepping down from his full-time role at the network which included co-hosting Weekend Sunrise.

He remains a sports presenter for Seven.

SCA chief content officer Dave Cameron thanked Zempilas for his contribution to the station.

“We thank Basil for his dedication and passion in launching Triple M Perth,” he said.

“Basil is a much loved and experienced broadcaster and we wish him the very best in his ongoing successful career across media and politics.”

A replacement for Zempilas has not been announced.