ABC News Breakfast Lisa Millar trolled online after she announced she would be quitting program

Lisa Millar was inundated with insults from keyboard heroes online after she announced live on radio that she was leaving ABC News Breakfast after five years as co-host.

The veteran journalist shocked viewers on Wednesday by announcing that she will be leaving the program at the end of August.

Social media trolls mercilessly criticized the morning news legend in the hours following her resignation, angering many of Millar’s loyal friends, who defended her and denounced the abuse.

One of her biggest supporters was Paul Syvret, the “recovering former Murdoch columnist” who has known Millar for more than 25 years.

“I have known Lisa Millar for 25 years, both personally and professionally,” he wrote on X.

“She is one of the most experienced journalists and broadcasters in the country, with the utmost integrity. The abuse here today is disgusting.”

Author Mike Carlton, who worked with Millar ‘regularly’ on ABC Sydney’s Drive Time radio show, also stood up for her.

“She was always very professional and a pleasure to work with,” he tweeted.

‘The abuse is not only disgusting, it sometimes also indicates a sick mind.’

Journalist Neil McMahon described Millar’s resignation as “a sign of the disgusting insanity of many on this platform. The posting of this message requires that comments on this tweet be disabled.”

Millar, who has not yet publicly responded to the negative reactions, expressed her pride when she announced she was leaving the show.

“What an amazing past five years it has been, whether it was interviewing prime ministers and world leaders or getting karaoke encouragement from my childhood idol Gladys Knight,” she told viewers on Wednesday.

‘In 35 years of journalism, I have never done anything so exciting, unpredictable and fun. It only worked because of the amazing team behind the cameras and behind the scenes who kept me laughing.’

News Breakfast co-host Michael Rowland also shared his thoughts on the ‘sad news’.

“I wish Lisa all the best on those back roads and dog grooming assignments. And enjoy the naps,” he wrote online after the show ended.

Another colleague of Millar’s, James Glenday, also thanked her for being a “wonderful friend, colleague and mentor” to him.

“Too bad she’s leaving the show, but glad she’s moving on to other big things,” he said.

Millar will remain with the national broadcaster in a project-based role.

“I’m going to have more adventures with Back Roads and Muster Dogs. Muster Dogs is getting bigger and bigger. So much to do, and exciting new projects. That means goodbye,” she said.

Millar also appeared on the show last year and was controversial when she wore a skirt with a high slit, which some viewers felt was too revealing.

Millar said she was disgusted by the comments, especially as they came so close to International Women’s Day.

“The fact that what I wore on Monday prompted nasty comments on Twitter, disgusting personal insults that I would not and could not repeat here — that was disturbing,” she said at the time.

‘I am angry, on this International Women’s Day. Angry on my own behalf and also on behalf of other women, young women, who see these stories and see someone like me being violently abused day in and day out for whatever reason bullies can think of.

“I fear you get the feeling that no progress is being made and that it is not worth it to appear as a woman in the public arena.”

Millar went on to say that she had received an outpouring of support following the trolling, which gave her “hope.”

Millar first appeared as a guest on ABC News Breakfast in 2018 and became a regular presenter alongside Rowland the following year.

She joined ABC in 1993 and is one of the network’s longest-serving foreign correspondents, having served as bureau chief in both the U.S. and Europe.

According to ABC News president Justin Stevens, the network values ​​Millar “tremendously.”

“Lisa Millar is a fantastic journalist and presenter who embodies the best values ​​and attributes of ABC journalists,” he said.

‘While we are sad to lose her to News, I am delighted that she is seizing this opportunity and going from strength to strength at the ABC.

‘She’s done a fantastic job over the past five years presenting News Breakfast – one of the toughest jobs on Australian television.

‘The tireless hours she worked never got in the way of her incredible warmth and energy, nor did her passion for putting on the best program for the audience.’

Millar’s last day with the program is August 23