Tom Tilley (television presenter)

Tom Tilley
Tom Tilley
Born	1981; Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation(s)	Journalist, television and radio host, political speechwriter
Years active	2005–present
Known for	Presenter of Hack on Triple J (2011–2019)

Tom Tilley (born 1981) is an Australian political speechwriter and former journalist, television, and radio host. From 2011 until 2019, he was the presenter of the daily news program Hack on Triple J. Beginning in 2024, he has taken on the role of speechwriter and communications consultant for New South Wales Transport Minister John Graham.

Career

Though initially hesitant to pursue journalism due to industry difficulties, Tilley spent two years working in investment banking at Deutsche Bank after completing a Bachelor of Commerce at Macquarie University. Following a period abroad where he acquired skills in video editing, he redirected his career toward journalism.

Tilley joined the ABC in 2005 as a casual staff member in the newsroom, gradually moving into late-night radio hosting and talk-back presenting. In 2007, he became a reporter for Triple J’s Hack, eventually assuming the role of host from 2011 through 2019. Additionally, he led live studio debate sessions on ABC2, including five editions under the Hack Live series by 2017.

In November 2019, Tilley declared his exit from Hack to become a contributor and occasional host on Network 10's The Project, having previously appeared as a guest presenter earlier that year. Prior to departing ABC, he occasionally hosted the radio show PM and contributed reports to the current affairs program Foreign Correspondent. He has also served as a fill-in presenter on the Nine Network's Today Extra.

Personal life

Raised in Mudgee, NSW alongside his parents and three siblings, Tilley attended Mudgee High School where he held the position of school captain.

His father served as the Pastor of the Mudgee branch of Revival Centres International, a fundamentalist Pentecostal church established in Melbourne during the 1950s. Tilley distanced himself from the church upon relocating to Sydney for university studies and formally left at age 21.

After completing high school, he moved to Newport, in Sydney to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce at Macquarie University. He currently lives in Tamarama.

Tilley plays bass guitar for Client Liaison during their live performances and has experience as a DJ. In 2016, he was shortlisted as a finalist for the Cleo Bachelor of the Year award.

National Live Music Awards

Founded in 2016, the National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) celebrate Australia's live music sector.

External links

Tom Tilley's profile on Triple J