Network Ten is scrambling to replace star political editor Peter van Onselen after he suddenly resigned on Friday, but the rumored salary package on offer may drive TV’s top talent away from the job.
Award-winning reporter and editor Samantha Maiden is said to top the list to replace him as Ten’s political face in Canberra, though pundits speculated she might be too expensive for them.
The struggling broadcaster that has been crushed by plummeting ratings is understood to be offering around $150,000 a year for the high-profile parliamentary reporter’s work, though Ten denies this.
Daily Mail Australia understands that Dr van Onselen, 47, was making around $300,000 a year as a political editor for Ten and a political analyst for The Project before he left on Friday.
It is said that he lost his passion for work and was tired of the regular commute to Canberra, combined with the increasing family demands over the next few years.
“For PVO, it’s become rinse and repeat and he’s tired of doing 90-second stories that often aren’t even a story,” said a former colleague.
“The place has turned into a garbage fire, he started to feel a little embarrassed to have his brand attached to it. Ten no longer takes politics seriously.
Network Ten is fighting to replace political editor Peter van Onselen (pictured) after he suddenly resigned on Friday, but the reduced salary package may turn away anyone who wants the job.
The struggling broadcaster which has been crushed by plummeting ratings is understood to be offering around $150,000 a year for the job of the high-profile parliamentary reporter.
Dr. van Onselen handed in his resignation Friday at lunchtime and made his last appearance online before bosses deleted his work email address that night.
He quietly removed his Ten affiliation from his Twitter bio after the federal election in May, when he first considered resigning, but vowed to stay until the end of last year.
He will now focus on his role as a professor of politics and public policy at the University of Western Australia and as a columnist for The Australian newspaper.
He plans to spend more time with his family in Sydney while his two teenage daughters study for their upcoming HSCs, while his busy wife Ainslie is CEO of Chartered Accountants Australia.
Network bosses are now looking both internally and externally for Dr van Onselen’s replacement, with Ms Maiden said to be one of the two favorites out of the existing newsroom.
Ms. Maiden is a veteran political reporter of 20 years and won a Walkley Award for exposing Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s family vacation to Hawaii during the 2019 wildfire crisis.
Along with Lisa Wilkinson, he also played a key role in uncovering the explosive rape allegations of former political staffer Brittany Higgins.
Award-winning reporter Samantha Maiden (left) is said to top the shortlist to replace him as Ten’s political stunt in Canberra, though it may be too expensive for them. Former Fairfax reporter Mark Kenny (right), now a professor at the Australian National University and an expert on television politics, is also said to be on Ten’s most-wanted list.
Ten’s Canberra reporters Stela Todorovic and Chloe Bouras are also said to be in the running for a step up in the lead political role.
Ten’s Sydney reporter Ursula Heger, a former press gallery reporter, is said to have been offered the job but is understood to be unwilling to return to Canberra.
Former Fairfax reporter Mark Kenny, now a professor at the Australian National University and an expert on television politics, is also said to be on Ten’s most-wanted list.
But experts speculate that the cash on offer is unlikely to attract either.
The departure of Dr. van Onselen and the exodus of other Ten staff members even paved the way for a possible return of press gallery reporter Tegan George.
She has been locked in a long legal battle with Ten for more than a year over allegations of bullying and alleged sexual discrimination at Ten’s Canberra office.
But the departure of Dr. van Onselen, former executive editor Anthony Murdoch and others means that most of the people named in the lawsuit have now left the company.
Ms George still works for Ten but has been on sick leave for more than 18 months as she deals with mental health issues in the wake of the dispute.
Ten, Ms George and her lawyers declined to comment on the speculation.
The departure of Peter van Onselen and the exodus of other Ten staff have even paved the way for a possible return of press gallery reporter Tegan George.
Now Ten’s news chief Martin White is also said to be considering whether to allow his current Canberra reporters Stela Todorovic and Chloe Bouras to take the lead political role.
A source said: ‘My gut feeling is that they will try to find someone internal, demoting the position and saving money, which I can understand.
‘There really isn’t any editor role in mainstream political reporting anymore. The news is pre-recorded and the Project no longer uses political commentators on its panels.
We’d better save the money!
A Ten spokesman denied speculation about possible candidates and the salary package, but confirmed the departure of Dr. van Onselen and the search for his replacement.
“Peter van Onselen has decided to step down as political editor for Network 10,” a spokesman said.
‘PVO, as it is widely known, has been a valued member of the news leadership team at Network 10 since joining as political editor in December 2018, as well as a familiar face on The Project’s desk.
“Peter has a wealth of experience in the media, politics and academia and we thank him for his contributions to the news and current affairs success of this network, which includes spearheading our coverage on two election campaigns, leading the bureau’s political coverage of Canberra and publish important news.
“Network 10 wishes Peter all the best for the future and with his return to the academy.”