Bridget Brennan (journalist)

Bridget Brennan
Born	Australia
Occupation(s)	Journalist, television presenter
Years active	2010–present
Known for	Co-host of ABC's News Breakfast; ABC Indigenous Affairs correspondent and editor; Four Corners researcher

Bridget Brennan is an Australian journalist who co-hosts the ABC's morning show News Breakfast alongside James Glenday. She identifies as a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman and is the niece of artist Angela Brennan.

Career

Brennan began her career at the ABC in 2010 as a cadet journalist. Between 2011 and 2013, she reported for both radio and television in Darwin.

Following a short period working with CNN in Hong Kong, Brennan returned to the ABC in 2014 to contribute to national radio current affairs programs such as AM, The World Today, and PM. She subsequently worked on Background Briefing before joining the investigative team at Four Corners as a researcher.

In 2016, Brennan received the Andrew Olle scholarship and was appointed ABC's national Indigenous Affairs correspondent, later taking on the role of Europe correspondent based out of London. Upon her return to Australia in 2020, she became Indigenous Affairs editor, overseeing coverage including events such as NAIDOC.

In June 2020, Brennan made history as the first non-white panel member on ABC TV's Insiders, following criticism about the show's lack of diversity amid discussions on the Black Lives Matter movement. She emphasized the importance of including voices with direct experience of discrimination in such forums.

Brennan served as host for the summer series of The Drum during December 2021 and January 2022.

In July 2022, together with Dan Bourchier, she co-hosted a special edition of Speaking Up on the ABC News channel, focusing on the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Following the departure of Leigh Sales from 7.30 in 2022, Brennan was among three journalists shortlisted by ABC executives as potential successors, competing against Sarah Ferguson and David Speers.

In November 2023, it was announced that Brennan would join News Breakfast as a news presenter and co-host one day each week while Lisa Millar pursued other projects.

By August 2024, Brennan was named as Millar’s successor as co-host of News Breakfast. She also contributed to the panel covering the 2025 Australian Federal Election.

In 2025, Brennan was depicted in a portrait created by Angela Brennan, which was entered into the Archibald Prize exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Awards

Brennan contributed to the pioneering female Indigenous reporting team on Four Corners that examined femicide affecting First Nations women in Australia. Together with Suzanne Dredge, Brooke Fryer, and Stephanie Zillman, she received the Gold Quill at the 2023 Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards for their investigative piece titled "How many more?". This report also secured the Quill Award recognizing Excellence in Indigenous Affairs journalism.

Views

In March 2022, Brennan publicly condemned The Australian for its handling of Zachary Rolfe’s acquittal related to the Death of Kumanjayi Walker, describing the coverage as "traumatising, unethical and appalling reporting."

During a July 2022 appearance on Insiders, she called for reparations and enhanced authority for Aboriginal communities within the reconciliation process, highlighting the importance of justice and empowerment. Despite encountering racist abuse, Brennan continues to be an outspoken advocate.

Prior to the 2025 Australian Federal Election and in response to racist incidents occurring during Anzac Day commemorations, Brennan emphasized the necessity of instituting formal Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies to foster respect and inclusivity.