Hamish Macdonald's shock departure
Q+A host Hamish Macdonald has announced he is leaving the ABC after 18 months in the job.
The TV journalist, 40, replaced veteran Tony Jones on the popular program in late 2019.
He left his coveted position as The Sunday Project host on Channel 10.
Hamish on Q+A. Image: Supplied
While Macdonald has not detailed what is next for him after ABC, the star’s departure follows months after he revealed an extreme amount of online abuse.
In a chat with Stellar in January, Macdonald said his role on Q+A through 2020 saw him receive the most hate on social media he has ever encountered.
“If you’re someone who sits in the middle of those exchanges in your day job, you end up copping it from every direction. I’ve never had more abuse for the interviews I’ve conducted than I had last year,” he said.
“And the abuse has come from left-wing people who don’t like you asking difficult questions of Dan Andrews, and it’s come from people on the right who don’t like you asking difficult questions of the federal government. I’ve definitely learnt you can’t please everyone.”
In a public announcement, Macdonald said he is “enormously grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given to host Q+A and to work alongside wonderful, talented and passionate people.
“I am really proud of what we’ve achieved together during these extraordinary times.
“I’d also like to thank the incredible Q+A audience for all they contribute to this program each week. It is, after all, their show. Their questions and stories from all corners of Australia are inspiring, revealing and clever – and it has been a privilege to receive and read them.
“I’m really excited to be moving on to a new opportunity, and working more with the ABC in the future.”
ABC’s director of news Gaven Morris said in a statement: “Everyone at the ABC thanks Hamish for the incredible job he has done.
“At one stage during the lockdown he was presenting a live panel discussion program that wasn’t allowed to have either an audience or panellists in the studio. His experience and versatility came to the fore.
“Hamish has long been a part of the ABC family and we look forward to continuing that relationship when opportunities arise.”
When the TV personality was appointed host of Q+A in November 2019, it was believed he’d continue to host The Sunday Project.
Hamish and Lisa Wilkinson on The Sunday Project. Image: Channel 10
However, reports quickly emerged that he was forced to step down entirely and would only appear on the program in an occasional capacity.
“We’re largely reliant on the goodwill of the ABC if he’s going to continue with The Sunday Project,” Ten’s executive director of news and current affairs Peter Meakin told The Australian at the time.
Macdonald has hosted a series of programs since his career began to take off in 2010, when he was appointed senior correspondent and fill-in presenter on 6:30 with George Negus.