ABC News Breakfast host Lisa Millar to quit show and ‘hit the road’ for the broadcaster

The ABC News Breakfast host Lisa Millar has announced on air she will leave the program in August after five years co-hosting with Michael Rowland.

Millar, 55, will also leave the broadcaster’s news division after 31 years to concentrate on making TV programs Back Roads and Muster Dogs, as well as new projects.

“In 35 years of journalism I’ve never done anything so exciting, unpredictable, and fun,” the former Washington and London correspondent said about her time co-hosting with Rowland. “It’s only worked because of the awesome team in front of the cameras and behind the scenes who kept me laughing.

“I’m excited to hit the road and discover more of the incredible stories that make up the remarkable tapestry of our culture. There are so many adventures ahead, whether it be with Back Roads, Muster Dogs, or new projects we’re cooking up. What a privilege it is to be a part of that future.”

Millar joined the ABC in 1993 after growing up in country Queensland, eventually serving as bureau chief in the US and Europe.​

The director of ABC News, Justin Stevens, said News Breakfast was one of the toughest jobs in TV.

“The relentless hours never impeded her incredible warmth and energy, or her passion for delivering the best program for the audience,” Stevens said.

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The ABC chief content officer, Chris Oliver-Taylor, said Millar would join his team full-time to work on Muster Dogs and Back Roads and to develop more shows.

Millar has narrated two series of Muster Dogs and written the companion book to the series, Muster Dogs: From Pups to Pros.

An experienced foreign correspondent, Millar abandoned Twitter in 2021 after a torrent of abuse about everything from her interview style to whether she smiles, but she was also subjected to articles the ABC said had amplified the abuse.

Last year the ABC accused News Corp and the Daily Mail of amplifying misogynist social media abuse by publishing articles that included “vile” Twitter criticism of one of her outfits.

“Giving anonymous social media bullies publicity on a national platform is participating in perpetuating antisocial behaviour and the very serious issue of online abuse of women,” an ABC statement said at the time.

Millar called out the abuse herself, describing what is was like to be subjected to obnoxious commentary for what she wore.

Related: Three things with Lisa Millar: ‘I’m a toast burner from way back. It’s hereditary’

“On this International Women’s Day, angry on behalf of myself, and also on behalf of other women, young women who see those stories and see someone like me being violently abused day after day for whatever reason bullies can find,” she said.

“I worry it might make you think that no progress has been made and that it’s not worth it to be a woman in the public arena.”

In November, Bridget Brennan joined News Breakfast and has regularly stepped in as co-host while Millar was away.

The Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta woman is one of the candidates to replace Millar along with Emma Rebellato, who has also been co-hosting.