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Lisa Wilkinson

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Lisa Wilkinson
AM
Wilkinson at David Jones, Sydney in 2013
Born
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
EducationCampbelltown Performing Arts High School
Occupations
  • Journalist
  • television presenter
  • magazine editor
Years active1980–2022
Television
Spouse
​
(m. 1992)​
Children3
Websitewww.lisawilkinson.com.au

Lisa Clare Wilkinson AM is an Australian television presenter, journalist, and magazine editor.

Wilkinson has previously co-hosted the Nine Network's breakfast television program, Today, with Karl Stefanovic (2007–2017), Weekend Sunrise on the Seven Network (2005–2007), and The Project on Network Ten (2018–2022).[1][2]

Career

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Magazines

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Dolly

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Wilkinson was born in Wollongong,[3] but grew up in Campbelltown, in Sydney's Western Suburbs and attended Campbelltown High School (now Campbelltown Performing Arts High School).[4] She began her career working for the magazine Dolly.[5] At age 21,[5] she was offered the job as its editor.[4] During her time there she became known for discovering young female talent, including a then-unknown Nicole Kidman.[6]

Cleo

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After tripling the circulation at Dolly, she was personally approached by Kerry Packer to become editor of Australian Consolidated Press women's lifestyle magazine, Cleo.[7] One of her first acts was to remove the magazine's infamous male centrefold.[8] During her time as editor, she mentored up and coming journalists such as Mia Freedman and Deborah Thomas.[9][10] Over ten years Wilkinson became the title's longest-serving editor, and during her tenure there was unprecedented circulation growth for the magazine. Wilkinson went on to become Cleo's International Editor-in-Chief as it opened titles in New Zealand and Asia.[11]

Australian Women's Weekly

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From 1999 to 2007, Wilkinson was editor-at-large of The Australian Women's Weekly.[12]

Huffington Post

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In August 2015 Wilkinson was asked by Arianna Huffington to become the Australian Editor-at-large of The Huffington Post, a role she held until 2018.[13][14][15]

Television

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Wilkinson's television career began in the late 1990s when she became a regular panelist on Network Ten and Foxtel's Beauty and the Beast. During the 2000 Summer Olympics, she (along with Duncan Armstrong) co-hosted The Morning Shift on the Seven Network.[16]

Weekend Sunrise

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In April 2005, Wilkinson began hosting Weekend Sunrise on the Seven Network with Chris Reason, and later with Andrew O'Keefe.[17]

Today

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On 10 May 2007, it was confirmed that Wilkinson was to co-host Today on the Nine Network after Jessica Rowe left the network and she began appearing on Today on 28 May 2007.[18] This was Stefanovic's fifth female co-host in just over two years.[19] In 2016, the duo took the show to number one in the breakfast TV wars for the first time in 12 years.[20]

On 16 October 2017, Wilkinson resigned from the Nine Network and Today due to a contract dispute with management over the significant gender pay gap that existed between her and long-time co-host Karl Stefanovic.[21] after ten years with the network, effective immediately.[22] Wilkinson herself announced she was leaving on Twitter and then just over an hour later announced on Twitter that she was joining Network 10.[23]

In her 2021 memoir, It Wasn't Meant to Be Like This, Wilkinson revealed that she had been sacked over her request for a fairer pay structure at the Network.[24]

The Project

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In 2018, she joined The Project, a nightly TV current affairs programme on Network 10.[25] On 20 November 2022 Wilkinson "stepped down" from her role on The Project after a controversial year on the program."[26][27][28]

Carols by Candlelight

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From 2008 to 2016, Wilkinson was the co-host of the Nine Network's Carols by Candlelight, replacing long time host Ray Martin when Martin semi-retired. Wilkinson's co-host from 2008 until 2012 was Karl Stefanovic, and in 2013 she was joined by David Campbell.[29][30] She was replaced by Sonia Kruger in 2017 after she left the Nine Network.[31]

Other

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In 2013, Wilkinson gave the Andrew Olle Media Lecture on the treatment of women in and by the media.[32] She was the first female journalist to give the speech since Jana Wendt in 1997.[33]

In 2017, Wilkinson was remarked on by The Daily Mail for wearing on air a blouse she had worn four months before.[34] Her cohost, Karl Stefanovic, had previously worn the same suit every day for a year without attracting notice.[34] Wilkinson posted a tweet criticizing the sexism and wore the blouse on air the next day, sardonically writing "my greatest legacy to the annals of female news broadcasting history will likely be that I dared to wear the same outfit two days in a row on national TV".[34][35] Other male and female Today Show hosts also wore the blouse on air in following days.[34][36]

In October 2021, Wilkinson was for the second time named a finalist in the Walkley Awards, for her interview with political staffer Brittany Higgins[37] in which she alleged being raped on Federal Government Minister Linda Reynold's office couch in 2019.[38] That story led to a full cultural review by Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, into the workplace treatment of women in Parliament House.[39]

Personal life

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Wilkinson married author, journalist and former rugby international Peter FitzSimons on 26 September 1992;[40] they have two sons and one daughter.[41][42][43]

She published her autobiography in 2021: It Wasn't Meant to Be Like This, HarperCollins, ISBN 9781460704455, 496 pages.[44] There was a second print run of the book.[45]

Honours

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Wilkinson was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2016 Australia Day Honours list for significant service to the print and broadcast media as a journalist and presenter, and to a range of youth and women's health groups.[46]

In 2017, Wilkinson's portrait by artist Peter Smeeth was a finalist in the Archibald Prize, and winner of the Packing Room Prize.[47][48]

In 2022, Wilkinson was part of The Project team that won 2 Logie Awards - one for Most Popular Panel or Current Affairs Program and one for Most Outstanding News Coverage or Public Affairs Report.[49]

Controversy

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On receiving an award at the nationally televised 62nd Annual Logie Awards, Wilkinson "gave a speech in which she openly referred to and praised" the complainant in a sexual assault matter, despite "clear and appropriate" warning of the associated risks of doing so while criminal court proceedings were afoot.[50]

The subsequent publicity generated from Wilkinson's speech caused lawyers for the man awaiting trial in this matter to lodge an application to temporarily stay proceedings.[51] On 21 June 2022, lawyers for the accused argued that Wilkinson's "speech did not need to be made" and the ACT Chief Justice Lucy McCallum granted the man's application.[52]

Commenting on Wilkinson's speech, Chief Justice McCallum said, "What concerns me most about this recent round is that the distinction between an allegation and a finding of guilt has been completely obliterated".[53] Her Honour further stated that, "The implicit premise of [Wilkinson's speech was] to celebrate the truthfulness of the story she exposed" before any finding of guilt, and in the context of the accused denying that "any sexual activity took place".[52] The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that "the prosecution is considering making an application for a restraint on commentary by Ms Wilkinson".[54]

As a subsequent independent inquiry investigating the prosecution of Lehrmann, ACT Prosecutor Shane Drumgold admitted he "misread the situation" in a meeting with Lisa Wilkinson discussing her acceptance speech for a Logie award[55] and that he subsequently misled the judge about Wilkinson's Logies speech.[56]

In 2023, Bruce Lehrmann launched a defamation suit against Wilkinson, Samantha Maiden, Network 10, and News Corp and subsequently the ABC.[57] In May 2023, Lehrmann dropped his defamation case against News Corp and Samantha Maiden, but not Wilkinson, the Ten Network or the ABC.[58] Wilkinson subsequently commenced legal action against her employer, Network 10, over alleged failure of the Network to pay her legal fees of $700,000.[59] In April 2024, the defamation suit was dismissed when the court ruled that on the balance of probabilities Lehrmann raped Higgins.[60]

References

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  1. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson". 10 Play. Network Ten. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson quits The Project amongst staff 'exodus'". Sky News. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  3. ^ Turk, Louise (7 June 2008). "A Day at a Time". Illawarra Mercury. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Campbelltown Town – Committee Minutes" (PDF). Campbelltown City Council. 7 December 2004. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2007. ...Lisa Wilkinson (a former student of Campbelltown High School who became the youngest ever editor of an Australian women's magazine).
  5. ^ a b "Today biography". Today.ninemsn.com.au. 15 October 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  6. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson on why she'll 'always be grateful to Nicole Kidman'". Yahoo. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson: the value of building a strong connection with your audience". Telstra. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Cleo Brings Back the Centrefold". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 November 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson And Mia Freedman Talk Best Friends and the Boys' Club". Marie Claire. 7 March 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Wilkinson mourns loss of breeding ground for journalists after Cleo closure". 9news.com.au. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson". The Fordham Company. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Australia Day Honours for Melissa Doyle and Lisa Wilkinson". Media Spy. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  13. ^ Davies, Anne (19 August 2015). "Huffington Post appoints television presenter Lisa Wilkinson as editor-at-large". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  14. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson takes editor-at-large role for HuffPost Australia". Ad News. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  15. ^ Meade, Amanda (29 November 2017). "Fairfax Media joint venture with HuffPost comes to an end". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  16. ^ The Morning Shift, tv.com
  17. ^ Casamento, Jo (21 July 2013). "You'd be a fool to feel safe on TV". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  18. ^ "TV job gives new meaning to 'hot seat'". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 May 2007.
  19. ^ "Everything we know about Karl's new host, and how she plans to lift ratings". News. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  20. ^ "NEWSNine's Today Show claims first victory over Sunrise". Mumbrella. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  21. ^ Coy, Bronte; Schipp, Debbie (29 January 2018). "Lisa Wilkinson reflects on leaving Today: 'It was something I'd been thinking about'". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  22. ^ Chang, Charis; Burke, Liz (17 October 2017). "Lisa Wilkinson announced shock resignation from Nine's Today show". News.com.au. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  23. ^ Meade, Amanda (16 October 2017). "Lisa Wilkinson leaves Nine and joins Ten after pay battle". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  24. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson reveals brutal Nine axing after awkward final encounter with Karl Stefanovic" by Ben Graham, news.com.au, 17 October 2021
  25. ^ Enker, Debi (29 January 2018). "Despite the hype, Lisa Wilkinson's Project debut is a fizzer". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  26. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson leaves Channel Ten show The Project". Australian Financial Review. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  27. ^ Clench, Sam (20 November 2022). "Lisa Wilkinson quits as host of The Project, citing 'relentless toxicity'". Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  28. ^ Knox, David (20 November 2022). ""It's time for a change": Lisa Wilkinson quits The Project". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  29. ^ McManus, Bridget (19 December 2013). "Today's Lisa Wilkinson: 'We need to start developing a women's club [in media]'". The Age. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  30. ^ Knox, David (20 October 2008). "End of an era as Ray quits Nine". TV Tonight. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  31. ^ Knox, David (19 December 2019). "Carols by Candlelight: guide". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  32. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson's Andrew Olle Lecture and women in media". The Conversation. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  33. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson Presents Annual Andrew Olle Lecture". ABC. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  34. ^ a b c d Burke, Tina (12 April 2017). "Lisa Wilkinson Just Wore The Same Blouse Twice, And Copped Backlash For Some Reason". Marie Claire. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  35. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson: I Want To Thank The Fashion Police For Airing My Dirty Laundry". HuffPost. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  36. ^ Kyung Kim, Eun (12 April 2017). "News anchor fights back after shamed for wearing same blouse – 4 months apart". Today. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  37. ^ "Alleged Rape Survivor Brittany Higgins' Interview Is Damning And Raises Questions". Marie Claire. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  38. ^ "Finalists announced for the 66th Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism". Walkley Awards. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  39. ^ "Kate Jenkins to lead independent inquiry into Parliament House culture following Brittany Higgins allegations". Australia: ABC News. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  40. ^ "Galleries: 1992 Weddings". Perth Now. p. 4. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  41. ^ Clune, Richard (25 July 2010). "Today show hosts a perfect match". The Sunday Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  42. ^ "Addressed for success". The Sun-Herald. 1 August 2010.
  43. ^ "In Conversation: August Literary Lunch with Peter FitzSimons". Live at the Centre.com.au. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  44. ^ "First review: Beyond the Nine storm, what's really in Lisa Wilkinson book It Wasn't Meant To Be Like This". News.com.au. 30 May 2023.
  45. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson has last laugh as her book sales skyrocket". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  46. ^ "Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia (M-Z)" (PDF). Australia Day 2016 Honours Lists. Office of the Governor-General of Australia. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  47. ^ Peter Smeeth, Lisa Wilkinson AM – Winner: Packing Room Prize 2017, Archibald Prize 2017, Art Gallery of New South Wales
  48. ^ Packing Room Prize 2017: Peter Smeeth's portrait of Lisa Wilkinson wins Archibald's art award, Paige Cockburn and Louise Hall, ABC News Online, 20 July 2017
  49. ^ "TV WEEK Logies 2022: Lisa Wilkinson Delivers Powerful Speech". Channel 10. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  50. ^ "Lisa Wilkinson Logies Speech Delays Bruce Lehrmann Trial Further". Inside headline. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  51. ^ "Brittany Higgins's accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann has trial delayed due to publicity sparked by Lisa Wilkinson's Logies speech". Australia: ABC News. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  52. ^ a b Gould, Courtney. "Major decision in Brittany Higgins rape case handed down". NCA NewsWire. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  53. ^ "Judge blasts Wilkinson's Logies speech about Higgins". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  54. ^ "Judge takes aim at Lisa Wilkinson's mention of Brittany Higgins in Logies speech as Bruce Lehrmann's rape trial delayed". Australia: ABC News. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  55. ^ "Prosecutor in Bruce Lehrmann trial admits he 'misread the situation' in meeting with Lisa Wilkinson". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  56. ^ "ACT Prosecutor Admits Inadvertently Misleading Judge". Retrieved 29 May 2023 – via Twitter.
  57. ^ Whitbourn, Michaela (1 March 2023). "Lisa Wilkinson seeks to defend Bruce Lehrmann defamation suit by proving rape claim". The Age. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  58. ^ "Bruce Lehrmann drops defamation case and settles with News Corp over Brittany Higgins reports". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  59. ^ Knaus, Christopher (19 October 2023). "Lisa Wilkinson sues Network 10 over legal bills for Bruce Lehrmann defamation suit". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  60. ^ "Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House, judge finds on balance of probabilities". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
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