"Are you coming back?" ABC loses another host
<p><em>ABC News Breakfast</em> host Michael Rowland has announced he’s “taking a break” one day after criticising the public broadcaster for failing Stan Grant.</p>
<p>Rowland made the announcement live on air that he will be “off on a break” and hosting had been “a real honour”.</p>
<p>He later took to Twitter, writing, “Take care and see you soon”.</p>
<p><em>ABC</em> bosses have insisted Rowland is going on a “long-planned holiday” and will return to the show in a month's time.</p>
<p>Rowland urged the public broadcaster to call out racism more quickly and effectively after Grant revealed he was leaving Q+A.</p>
<p>Grant announced he was taking an indefinite break as host of Q+A on May 19 after he received “racial filth” on social media.</p>
<p>Rowland said in response to Grant’s racial abuse, “It hasn't just been weeks and months, it's been years that Stan's been copping this. Racism is a scourge.</p>
<p>“We all need to do better and that includes the <em>ABC</em> in calling it out and calling it out more quickly than we have in this country,” he added.</p>
<p>That same day Rowland posted a video of Grant’s compelling monologue alongside the caption, “Racism is a scourge. We all need to do better in calling it out, and that includes the ABC.”</p>
<p>Finance presenter on <em>ABC</em> News Breakfast Madeline Morris is said to join Rowland’s co-host Lisa Miller for the “next little while”.</p>
<p>After announcing his departure, Rowland thanked viewers at home.</p>
<p>“I just want to use this semi-regular opportunity to thank all of you, our viewers, you have been fabulous for this show in the time that I've been on the show, it's been great presenting to you,” he said.</p>
<p>“If it wasn't for you, the viewers, none of us would be here doing what we do, so it's been a real honour.”</p>
<p>One of his shocked co-hosts said, “That sounds kinda final. Are you coming back?", <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">to which Rowland just smiled and didn’t respond.</span></p>
<p>Lisa Millar jokingly replied, “Absolutely! And he's bringing presents because that's the rule: wherever you're travelling to, come back with gifts.”</p>
<p>A spokesperson for <em>ABC</em> told <em>Daily Mail Australia</em>, “Michael is on a long-planned holiday and will be back on air 26 June.”</p>
<p>TV producer Robert McKnight responded to Rowland’s announcement, saying, “Very sorry to hear this. Michael is one of the best! Good luck to you, Michael.”</p>
<p>One Twitter user said the news was “very upsetting”.</p>
<p>“First I lose Stan Grant on Q&A. Now I loose you getting me through my mornings,”</p>
<p>She added, “Very angry reporters and presenters have been abandoned by their employers.”</p>
<p>There has been no suggestion Rowland feels “abandoned” by the <em>ABC</em>.</p>
<p>Rowland’s criticising of the <em>ABC</em> followed an appearance on the program by Ian Hamm, chair of the First Nations Foundation.</p>
<p>“Stan does his job very well. I think he has taken on the role of poking the bear of Australia where it's uncomfortable from time to time,” Hamm said.</p>
<p>“There is risk with that. The pushback of those who don't like it and who perhaps want Aboriginal people to be more compliant and pleasant.”</p>
<p>He added, “Stan's not walking away. He's just taking a break as anybody should in this circumstance.”</p>
<p>Hamm said 2023 in particular, given Australians voting on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in November would raise lingering tensions.</p>
<p>“Australia does have race relations problems and all it takes is scratching the surface and some very unpleasant sores can be exposed.”</p>
<p>“I have great hope for my nation, but I'm also realistic enough to know that this is not an easy journey.</p>
<p>“He's not alone and the rest of us are behind him and like him, we're not walking away. And we intend to pursue the right place for our people in this country.”</p>
<p>Rowland’s news led another <em>ABC</em> reporter to comment, “Hope you're OK”.</p>
<p>Rowland has presented on <em>ABC</em> <em>News Breakfast</em> since 2010 when he joined Virginia Trioli on the sofa.</p>
<p>Following his almost 13-year run as host, he’s become a fan favourite on the program.</p>
<p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>
