Melissa Doyle has been appointed chair of the Australia Day Council, with the Seven broadcaster set to oversee national celebrations and the Australian of the Year Awards.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Doyle would succeed musician John Foreman, praising her long career telling Australians’ stories.
“For decades, Australians have trusted Mel to tell Australia’s stories, and now she will take that to the next level in the national interest,” Mr Albanese said.
Doyle hosted breakfast television for more than a decade and has also been involved in fundraising, writing and community work.
Responding to the appointment, she said she was looking forward to highlighting the people who made Australians feel proud.
“I can’t wait to share more stories with everybody of who the people are that make us feel incredibly proud,” Doyle said. “I’m humbled, I’m daunted, I’m excited, every single emotion.”
Her appointment comes as Australia Day remains a contested national occasion. Mr Albanese has said the date will not change, while some local councils have declined to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26.
Doyle said she would be willing to discuss those decisions, but acknowledged that individual councils would determine their own approach.
“I think that those individual ones are up to them,” she said.
The government says the number of funded Australia Day events has risen to 824 nationwide. Doyle will hold the chair for three years.
