Lisa Millar bid an emotional on-air farewell to ABC News Breakfast on Friday after confirming she would be stepping down from the show.
The veteran journalist, 55, shocked viewers last month by announcing her departure, and has now marked her final day on air ahead of her big career change.
She admitted saying goodbye to the show had been an ’emotional rollercoaster’ as she paid tribute to her co-host Michael Rowland and the ABC team.
‘After five years of sharing this couch with awesome people and the people behind the scenes as well, it is time to say farewell,’ she gushed.
Lisa then joked that the ABC managing director David Anderson’s shock resignation on Thursday had somewhat ‘upstaged’ her exit.
‘Talk about trying to upstage me. Managing director David Anderson, good morning to you,’ she quipped as she accused him of ‘raining on her parade’.
Lisa, who has worked with the network since 1998, confirmed her next steps as she announced she would be taking on a new job with the content division of the ABC.
The broadcaster has stepped down from ABC News Breakfast after five years as co-host, but was hit by a barrage of abuse upon confirming her exit last month.
Lisa Millar bid an emotional on-air farewell to ABC News Breakfast on Friday after confirming she would be stepping down from the show, which she co-hosts with Michael Rowland
Social media trolls berated the morning news legend following her resignation, sparking outrage from many of Lisa’s loyal friends, who jumped to her defence and called out the abuse.
‘I’ve known Lisa Millar personally and professionally for 25 years,’ columnist Paul Syvret posted on X – formerly known as Twitter.
‘She is one of the most experienced journalists and broadcasters in the country, with the utmost integrity. The abuse here today is sickening.’
Author Mike Carlton, who worked with Lisa ‘regularly’ on ABC Sydney’s drive time radio program, stepped in to defend her as well, describing her as ‘thoroughly professional and a delight to work with’.
Lisa’s last day on air comes just hours after ABC’s embattled managing director David Anderson confirmed he has resigned from his post.
Sarah Ferguson, the presenter of the network’s flagship current affairs program, confirmed the news on X, writing: ‘MD David Anderson announces his intention to leave the ABC early next year’.
Staff were informed of the news on Thursday through an internal email, which read: ‘I am still very much committed to the importance of the ABC to the nation. I believe it is the right moment for leadership renewal for the next stage of the ABC’s continued evolution.
Lisa then joked that the ABC managing director David Anderson’s (pictured) shock resignation on Thursday had somewhat ‘upstaged’ her exit
‘To have the opportunity to serve the Australian public and lead such talented and dedicated people across the country, and overseas, for what is approaching six years is humbling.
‘To have had this opportunity after a long career at the ABC is an achievement I am proud of and incredibly grateful for.
‘The relationships forged with hard working people who possess a shared passion for the purpose and value of the ABC is an experience I will always cherish.
‘It has been an absolute honour to be part of the ABC community. We are all custodians of this great national institution that has served Australians for over 90 years.’
Mr Anderson will remain in the role until a new managing director is appointed, at the request of ABC chair Kim Williams. He is likely to stay in the role until early next year.
He was permanently promoted to the managing director role in May 2019, after serving as the acting managing director since September 2018.
