Nine News Queensland

{{Short description|Australian TV news program}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} {{Infobox television | image = | alt_name = {{ubl|Channel 9 News (1959–1969)|National Nine News (1969–1976, 1980–2008)|9 Eyewitness News (1976–1980)}} | genre = News | presenter = '''News:''' Melissa Downes (weeknights) Joel Dry (weeknights) Mia Glover (weekends) '''Sport:''' Jonathan Uptin (weeknights) Dominique Loudon (weekends) '''Weather:''' Garry Youngberry (Sunday – Thursday) Luke Bradnam (Friday – Saturday) | country = Australia | language = English | location = Brisbane, Queensland | runtime = 45 minutes | network = Nine Network | first_aired = {{Start date|1959|08|17|df=y}} | last_aired = present }}

'''''Nine News Queensland''''' is the flagship state-based news bulletin of the Nine Network in Brisbane, Australia. Like all ''Nine News'' bulletins, the Queensland bulletin runs for one hour nightly at 6:00pm.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kalina |first1=Paul |last2=Ellis |first2=Scott |date=2014-01-06 |title=Nine quietly switches to hour-long news |work=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/nine-quietly-switches-to-hourlong-news-20140106-30dg0.html |url-status=live |access-date=2014-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107231620/http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/nine-quietly-switches-to-hourlong-news-20140106-30dg0.html |archive-date=2014-01-07}}</ref> The bulletin also airs, albeit on a half-hour delay, in the Northern Territory.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-07-11 |title=Nine News Darwin to no longer have standalone bulletin |url=http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/nine-news-darwin-to-no-longer-have-standalone-bulletin/news-story/a61d0dd81497f042cfe90cd33642614f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712073357/http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/nine-news-darwin-to-no-longer-have-standalone-bulletin/news-story/a61d0dd81497f042cfe90cd33642614f |archive-date=2017-07-12 |access-date=2017-07-11 |work=Northern Territory News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hislop |first1=Jack |last2=Lemke |first2=Laetitia |date=2024-01-22 |title=Channel Nine suddenly axes Darwin television news bulletin |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-22/channel-9-darwin-local-bulletin-axed/104845996 |website=ABC News}}</ref> It comprises local, national and international news, as well as sport, weather and finance.

Unlike the other four metropolitan bulletins, this local edition of ''Nine News'' is addressed on-air by its state, rather than its city.

==Simulcast== The 6pm bulletin is simulcast in Brisbane on commercial radio station River 94.9, across regional Queensland on the WIN Network as well as through NTD in Darwin and throughout remote eastern and central Australia on Imparja Television.

==History== thumb|A promo for ''Nine News Queensland'' as seen on a billboard in Fortitude Valley, Queensland. Bruce Paige and Heather Foord co-anchored the 6:00pm bulletin from 1995 until 2001, when Foord joined Mike London as a weekend presenter and Jillian Whiting replaced her on weeknights. London resigned in June 2003 after allegations emerged that he had organised a female friend to complain about the presentation of weeknight presenter Bruce Paige.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Miles |first1=Janelle |last2=Connolly |first2=Steve |date=2003-06-04 |title=Newsreader quits after complaint scandal |work=The Age |agency=Australian Associated Press |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/06/03/1054406186422.html |url-status=live |access-date=2014-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110055102/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/06/03/1054406186422.html |archive-date=2016-01-10}}</ref> Foord and Whiting swapped positions in 2004 with Melissa Downes taking over as weekend presenter in 2006.

Foord resigned as weeknight presenter on 5 December 2008<ref name="Foord leaving">{{Cite news |last=Tucker-Evans |first=Anooska |date=2008-11-23 |title=Heather Foord moving forward after co-anchor's gaffe |work=The Sunday Mail |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,24690975-3102,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230235508/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,24690975-3102,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 December 2012 |access-date=2008-11-23}}</ref> and was replaced by Melissa Downes on weeknights with Eva Milic and former ABC news presenter Andrew Lofthouse fronting weekend bulletins. A year later, Bruce Paige stepped down from the weeknight chair (he was replaced by Lofthouse) and Heather Foord returned to present weekend bulletins solo for two years. Paige returned to full-time newsreading in January 2012, fronting ''Nine Gold Coast News'' solo until he was paired with Wendy Kingston in July 2016.

In February 2018, in a minor network reshuffle, Alison Ariotti stepped down from the Weekend role. Darren Curtis anchored the bulletin before he was replaced by then-''Nine News Regional Queensland'' presenter Jonathan Uptin.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Butt |first=Phillippa |date=2018-02-25 |title=No more Jonathan Uptin on our weekday TV |work=Northern Territory News |url=http://www.ntnews.com.au/entertainment/no-more-jonathan-uptin-on-our-weekday-tv/news-story/c462f7acf84b731ac82ebc40da6e4b80 |access-date=2018-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=929450153215344640 |user=AlisonAriotti |title=Thrilled for a change in 2018 .. Job sharing daytime news on @9NewsQueensland with my gorgeous friend @EvaMilic9 !! Thanks @Amanda9Paterson & @kblooch !! #WorkLifeBalance #lovemyjob #hoorayforweekendsagain |date=2017-11-12 |access-date=2017-11-12 |first=Alison |last=Ariotti}}</ref>

In January 2023, long-serving sports presenter Wally Lewis resigned from the role, citing health concerns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2023/01/23/exclusive-wally-lewis-steps-down-as-sports-presenter-at-9-news-brisbane-effective-immediately/|title=EXCLUSIVE – WALLY LEWIS steps down as sports presenter of 9NEWS Queensland – effective immediately|publisher=TV Blackbox|first=Robert|last=McKnight|date=23 January 2023|accessdate=23 January 2023}}</ref> He was replaced by Jonathan Uptin,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Kevin |date=2023-01-30 |title=JONATHAN UPTIN confirmed as replacement for WALLY LEWIS on 9NEWS QUEENSLAND |url=https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2023/01/30/jonathan-uptin-confirmed-as-replacement-for-wally-lewis-on-9news-queensland/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=TV Blackbox |language=en-AU}}</ref> who formerly presented the weekend news between 2018 and 2022. His position was subsequently taken over by Mia Glover.<ref name="glover">{{cite web|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CMWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.couriermail.com.au%2Fnews%2Fqueensland%2Fmia-glover-to-front-channel-9-queenslands-weekend-news-bulletin%2Fnews-story%2F9a5a7e278d6056bd5bc653f2ba1eaf78&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=dynamic-low-test-score&V21spcbehaviour=append|title=Revealed: Channel 9 shakes up weekend news bulletin|publisher=The Courier Mail|date=1 February 2023|accessdate=1 February 2023}}</ref>

In January 2025, Lofthouse announced that he would step down from presenting the bulletin, with immediate effect.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/01/andrew-lofty-lofthouse-retires-from-nine-news.html|title=Andrew 'Lofty' Lofthouse retires from Nine News|publisher=TV Tonight|first=David|last=Knox|date=20 January 2025|accessdate=20 January 2025}}</ref>

In May 2025, Nine announced that Joel Dry would return to the network, succeeding Andrew Lofthouse and joining Melissa Downes as co-presenter starting in August.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-02 |title=Joel Dry to join Melissa Downes at Nine News Queensland {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/05/joel-dry-to-join-melissa-downes-at-nine-news-queensland.html |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref> With the end of a full local newscast services for Darwin's NTD in 2025, the Queensland bulletin thus expanded its presence again to the Northern Territory, with NTD's news department effectively serving as a district service under QTQ's for news items from the region.

===Ratings=== Throughout the 1990s, and right up until the mid-2000s, ''Nine News Queensland'' was the clear-cut ratings leader in Brisbane.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Strutt |first1=Sam |last2=Shearer |first2=Geoff |date=2011-08-27 |title=Choppergate scandal began with quiet backyard barbecue |work=The Courier-Mail |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/archive/entertainment/choppergate-scandal-began-with-quiet-backyard-barbecue/story-e6freqj6-1226123188695 |access-date=2016-12-03}}{{dead link|date=September 2022|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> However, when weatherman John Schluter resigned just short of what would have been his 25th anniversary with the Nine Network towards the end of 2006 (subsequently joining the rival ''Seven News Brisbane''),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sij |date=2007-02-06 |title=Schulter shafts Cummins |url=http://www.australian-media.com.au/index.php?c=home&p=news&article=1962 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928161607/http://www.australian-media.com.au/index.php?c=home&p=news&article=1962 |archive-date=2007-09-28 |access-date=2007-02-26 |website=Australian-media.com.au}}</ref> sports presenter Wally Lewis took sick leave after collapsing on-air during a nightly bulletin in November of the same year,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2006-12-01 |title=Wally Lewis on leave after on-air mishap |work=ABC News |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1801798.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=2007-04-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901052531/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1801798.htm |archive-date=2009-09-01}}</ref> and rival Seven Brisbane poached then-''Today'' news presenter Sharyn Ghidella from Nine shortly after to read its weekend news (and later weeknights),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Dianne |date=2006-11-15 |title=Seven poaches Nine newsreader |work=The Courier-Mail |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/seven-poaches-nine-newsreader/story-e6freoof-1111112531592 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722231301/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/seven-poaches-nine-newsreader/story-e6freoof-1111112531592 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 July 2012 |access-date=2011-07-03}}</ref> the ratings declined, and in 2007, ''Nine News Queensland'' would lose its long-standing ratings dominance in the local market to the rival ''Seven News Brisbane''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-11-30 |title=SEVEN WINS THE 2009 RATINGS YEAR IN SEQ |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/6719108/seven-wins-the-2009-ratings-year-in-seq/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818045501/https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/6719108/seven-wins-the-2009-ratings-year-in-seq/ |archive-date=2017-08-18 |access-date=2017-08-18 |website=Yahoo!7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-01-16 |title=50 Years of Brisbane TV-Part 1 Good night and Goodbye: Farewells from the newsdesk... |url=http://kuttsywoodscouch.blogspot.com.au/2009/01/50-years-of-brisbane-tv-part-1-good.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818045258/http://kuttsywoodscouch.blogspot.com.au/2009/01/50-years-of-brisbane-tv-part-1-good.html |archive-date=2017-08-18 |access-date=2017-08-18 |website=Kuttsywood's Couch |publisher=Blogspot}}</ref><ref name="Foord leaving" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shearer |first=Geoff |date=2009-06-17 |title=Broom sweeps through Channel Nine as Bruce Paige quits |work=News.com.au |url=http://www.news.com.au/news/broom-sweeps-through-channel-nine-as-bruce-paige-quits/news-story/9362db9ada0e1f72b1766eb6e5d24a50 |url-status=dead |access-date=2017-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730110534/http://www.news.com.au/news/broom-sweeps-through-channel-nine-as-bruce-paige-quits/news-story/9362db9ada0e1f72b1766eb6e5d24a50 |archive-date=2017-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2008-11-28 |title=Melissa for weeknights on Nine |url=https://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/11/melissa-for-weeknights-on-nine.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730114451/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/11/melissa-for-weeknights-on-nine.html |archive-date=2017-07-30 |access-date=2017-05-11 |website=TV Tonight}}</ref> After Andrew Lofthouse and Melissa Downes took over as the chief co-presenters in mid-2009, ''Nine News Queensland'' would start to chip away at Seven's lead,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shearer |first=Geoff |date=2011-09-10 |title=Choppergate victim Melissa Mallet hired by Seven Network that got her sacked from Nine |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/choppergate-victim-melissa-mallet-hired-by-seven-network-that-got-her-sacked-from-nine/news-story/61875522890ce1edb7119f6ad3731d1f |access-date=2017-10-09}}{{dead link|date=September 2022|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> and since 2013 has again been the top-rating news bulletin in Brisbane,<ref name="2013-nailbiter">{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2013-11-19 |title=Nail biter in Brisbane news battle |url=https://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/11/nail-biter-in-brisbane-news-battle.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730105334/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/11/nail-biter-in-brisbane-news-battle.html |archive-date=2017-07-30 |access-date=2017-05-11 |website=TV Tonight}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bodey |first=Michael |date=2015-07-20 |title=TV ratings: Nine's the one again when it comes to news |work=The Australian |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/broadcast/tv-ratings-nines-the-one-again-when-it-comes-to-news/news-story/c1bfde242e5b9487d933c2e9194db95d |url-access=subscription |access-date=2017-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=904219998121426947 |user=HowieBennett9 |title=Congratulations @9NewsQueensland team winning 7 day ratings year @AlisonAriotti @DarrenCurtis9 @9MelissaDownes @Loftea #9NewsAt6 |date=2017-09-03 |access-date=2017-09-03 |first=Howie |last=Bennett}}</ref><ref name="2014-ratings-win">{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2014-09-16 |title=Nine News wins battle for Brisbane |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2014/09/nine-news-wins-battle-for-brisbane.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013211610/https://tvtonight.com.au/2014/09/nine-news-wins-battle-for-brisbane.html |archive-date=2018-10-13 |access-date=2018-10-13 |website=TV Tonight}}</ref> except for 2018–19 when it briefly lost its ratings lead to ''Seven News Brisbane''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McKnight |first=Robert |date=2018-10-10 |title=7 News Brisbane wins 2018 |url=https://www.tvblackbox.net/7-news-brisbane-wins-2018/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702132354/https://www.tvblackbox.net/7-news-brisbane-wins-2018/ |archive-date=2019-07-02 |access-date=2019-07-02 |website=TV Blackbox}}</ref>

==="Choppergate" controversy=== The ''Nine News Queensland'' bulletins on 20 and 21 August 2011 included live coverage each night by reporters Melissa Mallet and Cameron Price, respectively, from the station's helicopter, which they claimed was "near Beerwah", where the remains of murdered schoolboy Daniel Morcombe had been found earlier that month. The reports were revealed to be fake when, on the second night, rival station Channel Seven recorded video of the Nine helicopter sitting on the helipad outside their studios at Mount Coot-tha at the time of the broadcast. Radar footage also revealed that, on the first night, the helicopter was actually hovering over Chapel Hill, {{convert|70|km|mi|abbr=on}} away from Beerwah. Both Mallet and Price, as well as news producer Aaron Wakeley, were sacked by the Nine Network following the incident, and news director Lee Anderson accepted responsibility and resigned over the faked reports.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Nathanael |date=2011-08-26 |title=Channel 9 sacks three, news director resigns over 'Choppergate' scandal |work=The Courier-Mail |publisher=News.com.au |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/channel-9-fake-news-cross-will-anyone-be-chopped/story-e6frfmyi-1226122374959 |url-status=dead |access-date=2016-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220134807/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/channel-9-fake-news-cross-will-anyone-be-chopped/news-story/23e0914d06115e393dfe6086125cb853 |archive-date=2016-12-20}}</ref> Despite the scandal, Nine experienced a spike in its 6:00 pm news ratings in the weeks that followed,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baumgart |first=Sean |date=2011-08-30 |title=Nine ratings rise despite choppergate |work=Sydney Morning Herald |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/nine-ratings-rise-despite-choppergate-20110829-1ji4q.html |url-status=live |access-date=2017-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810000749/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/nine-ratings-rise-despite-choppergate-20110829-1ji4q.html |archive-date=2017-08-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Nathanael |date=2011-09-03 |title=Nine's choppergate scandal impacts worst on network that broke story, ratings leader Seven |work=The Courier-Mail |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/archive/entertainment/nines-choppergate-scandal-impacts-worst-on-network-that-broke-story-ratings-leader-seven/news-story/fa70d0be451512f3047275e068d6c169 |access-date=2017-05-27}}{{dead link|date=September 2022|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> managed to win more weeks than it did in the previous three years combined (winning seven of the 32 ratings weeks up to the first week of October),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hunter |first=Clare |date=2011-10-03 |title=Seven dominates Nine in TV ratings |work=QUT News |publisher=Queensland University of Technology |url=http://www.qutnews.com/2011/10/03/seven-dominates-nine-in-tv-ratings/#.WYV8i1EjHIU |url-status=live |access-date=2017-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013211529/http://www.qutnews.com/2011/10/03/seven-dominates-nine-in-tv-ratings/ |archive-date=2018-10-13}}</ref> and recovered to reclaim its mantle as Queensland's most-watched news service by 2013.<ref name="2013-nailbiter" /><ref name="2014-ratings-win" />

==Presenters== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+Current presenters ! rowspan="2" scope="col" |Role ! colspan="7" scope="col" |Bulletins |- ! scope="col" |Monday ! scope="col" |Tuesday ! scope="col" |Wednesday ! scope="col" |Thursday ! scope="col" |Friday ! scope="col" |Saturday ! scope="col" |Sunday |- ! scope="row" |News | colspan="5" |Melissa Downes (2009–present) Joel Dry (2025–present) | colspan="2" |Mia Glover (2023–present) |- ! scope="row" |Sport | colspan="5" |Jonathan Uptin (2023–present) | colspan="2" |Dominique Loudon (2023–present) |- ! scope="row" |Weather | colspan="4" |Garry Youngberry (2009–present) | colspan="2" |Luke Bradnam (2016–present) |Gary Youngberry (2009–present) |}

=== Fill-in presenters ===

The primary fill-in anchors are Wendy Kingston, Aislin Kriukelis and Paul Taylor. Other fill-in presenters include * Josh Bavas (news) * Dominique Loudon (sport) * Luke Bradnam (weather) * Ebony Cavallaro (weather)

=== Former presenters === {{col-begin}} {{col-3}}

===News=== * Andrew Lofthouse (2009–2024) * Bruce Paige (1985–1990, 1993–2009) * Heather Foord (1989–2008, 2009–2011) * Mike London (1986–2003) * Jillian Whiting (1998–2008) * Eva Milic (2009, July 2011 – October 2014) * Darren Curtis (October 2014 – February 2018) * Alison Ariotti (October 2014 – February 2018) * Sophie Walsh (first half of 2016) * Frank Warrick (1984–1985) * Don Seccombe (1960's–1985) * Paul Griffin (1973–1983) {{col-3}}

===Sport=== * Chris Bombolas * Steve Haddan * Ian Healy * Sam Squiers * Wally Lewis {{col-3}}

===Weather=== * Sami Lukis * Joseph May * John Schluter * Frank Warrick {{col-end}}

== Reporters == {{unreferenced section|date=October 2024}}

=== News ===

* '''Peter Fegan''' * '''Ebony Cavallaro''' * '''Jessica Millward''' * Bruce Paige (Seniors Reporter) * Anna Rawlings (Court Reporter) * Ned Balme * Jacob Chicco * Lily Greer (US correspondent) * Abbey Geran * Jakob Funk * Pat Heagney * Kate Lambe * Clare Todhunter * Michelle Tapper * Emily Prain (crime reporter)

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bold indicates the senior reporters

=== Sport ===

* Dominique Loudon * Adam Jackson * Ben Dobbin * Mark Gottlieb

=== Notable former reporters === {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} * Alex Bernhardt * Neil Doorley – now a Senior Media Adviser with Queensland Government * Spencer Jolly – now retired * Alyshia Gates – now with the Special Broadcasting Service * Brittney Kleyn – now with ''ABC News'' * Melissa Mallet (2009–2011) * Paris Martin – now with ''10 News Sydney'' {{col-2}} * Ashley McDermid * Cameron Price (2008–2011) * Nat Wallace – now with ''A Current Affair'' * Sophie Walsh (2011–2016) – now with Nine News Sydney * Phil Willmington – now retired * Lane Calcutt (state political reporter) – now a Senior Media Adviser with Queensland Government * Tim Arvier {{col-end}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{official website}}

Category:Australian television news shows Category:Nine News Category:Black-and-white Australian television shows Category:Television shows set in Queensland Category:1957 Australian television series debuts Category:1960s Australian television series Category:1970s Australian television series Category:1980s Australian television series Category:1990s Australian television series Category:2000s Australian television series Category:2010s Australian television series