Home Australia INSIDE MAIL: The truth about Lisa Wilkinson’s political ambitions – and what it means for her media comeback

INSIDE MAIL: The truth about Lisa Wilkinson’s political ambitions – and what it means for her media comeback

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Lisa Wilkinson's (left) work supporting Brittany Higgins (right) has earned her a legion of support among women who see her as a brave advocate for justice.
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Australians love a comeback, and in Lisa Wilkinson’s case, it’s not a question of “if” or “when” she’ll be back in the spotlight, but what form her comeback will take.

For weeks, rumors have been swirling with speculation that she will make a move into federal politics, and insiders say she would be a shoo-in for a seat in the upcoming election. (We think he’d be a perfect fit for the Teals.)

But, unfortunately, we can confirm that she will not enter the political game. For now at least.

In the clearest sign yet, the polished presenter is far from finished with journalism: she has privately rejected claims that she is looking to make a career pivot this year.

Wilkinson’s plans for the future have been one of the hottest topics of conversation within the industry since he formally parted ways with Ten over the festive holidays.

She further fueled the discussion after sharing a cryptic post on social media last week in which she revealed she was looking forward to “new beginnings” in 2025.

Lisa Wilkinson’s (left) work supporting Brittany Higgins (right) has earned her a legion of support among women who see her as a brave advocate for justice.

The message sent attacks at Woman’s Day – owned by Are Media, the company formerly known as Australian Consolidated Press, where Lisa made her name as an editor in the 1980s – into a frenzy. speculating that he was about to announce his decision to run for public office.

And of course, it’s not such a strange premise.

Despite being off the air for the past two years following something of a falling out with his former paymasters at Ten, Wilkinson remains one of the country’s most famous media identities and one of its most profitable cards.

What’s more, her work supporting Brittany Higgins has earned her a legion of support among women young and old who see her as a brave advocate for justice.

However, the star’s representatives assure us that a political future is still not in sight.

“Lisa is very proud of the work she did to help expose the toxic workplace culture in Parliament in her landmark interview with Brittany Higgins, a toxic culture confirmed in the 2021 Jenkins Report by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins”, a member of the Wilkinson team. Inside Mail said.

“But at this time, Lisa has no plans to address Parliament.”

A missed opportunity? Maybe… but it almost certainly suggests that he already has something else on his mind.

The polished presenter remains a media draw despite parting ways with Ten this month

The polished presenter remains a media draw despite parting ways with Ten this month

Wilkinson is still revered for keeping 'work husband' Karl Stefanovic on his toes during her long reign as co-presenter of Nine's Today show.

Wilkinson is still revered for keeping ‘work husband’ Karl Stefanovic on his toes during her long reign as co-presenter of Nine’s Today show.

Having compiled the full suite of commercial broadcasters (having headlined Seven’s Weekend Sunrise show, Nine’s Today show and Ten’s The Project), what ‘new beginnings’ might be left?

Well, our sources continue to muse that signing Wilkinson could prove to be a big coup by ABC and would be more than in line with the populist direction of the new administration under new chairman Kim Williams (and that’s certainly not a bad thing).

Of course, does anyone really know what the future holds for the TV veteran? Well, he knows it, and so do his representatives, but they don’t say it.

So stay tuned.

Read the full edition of Inside Mail here, only for Mail+ subscribers

Lisa Wilkinson, Brittany Higgins

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