Veteran newsreader Jo Palmer to step down

UPDATED: Veteran Tasmanian news anchor Jo Palmer will be reflecting on the good, the tough and the hilarious times in her career as she makes her final broadcast this week.

Anchor Jo Palmer in the old Southern Cross studio and stage set at Launceston in 2018. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

UPDATED: NEWS anchor Jo Palmer will be reflecting on the good, the tough and the hilarious times in her career as she makes her final broadcast for Nightly News on Seven Tasmania on Friday.

Like dead tarantulas left in her news scripts by her mischievous colleague and veteran weather presenter Peter Murphy, or a bee sting on the bum of a sports anchor five seconds before air.

Palmer yesterday announced her resignation from her role of 18 years.

Nightly News on Seven Tasmania presenter Jo Palmer has resigned after 18 years in the role. Picture: PATRICK GEE

She became the weekday news anchor in 2002 after presenting weekend news on Seven Tasmania and has presented news for almost 25 years.

“It’s been a really difficult decision to make and lots of tears and lots of soul-searching, but I just feel it’s the right time to go,” she said. “I wanted to go out on my own terms, on my own timing. We’re still the most watched news service in Tasmania, the number one rating news team, and I thought I want to finish that way and remember my time that way.”

Palmer said local news had been a “huge” part of her life — “sharing with our community the stories that have broken our hearts, lifted our spirits, kept us safe and informed, made us proud of who we are and where we live”.

“The newsroom has been my second home, and the news team my second family,” she said.

Palmer said she looked forward to finally being able to sit down with her family for dinner.

Nightly News on Seven Tasmania presenter Jo Palmer with her husband Andrew and son Alfie, 9. Picture: PATRICK GEE

“I’m intending on having lots of meals with my kids, so they can complain about my cooking to my face, instead of behind my back.”

Southern Cross Austero news director Grant Wilson said Palmer had been a “consummate professional as Tasmania’s favourite news reader” and an “amazing mentor to aspiring journalists”.

“We will miss Jo and wish her all the best in her future endeavours,” he said.

Palmer said she did not yet know what was next for her, but “wherever I go, whatever I do, it will be community focused”.

SCA will announce Ms Palmer’s replacement soon.