Michael Rowland

About Michael

Michael Rowland is a former co-presenter of ABC News Breakfast on ABC TV, a role he held for fifteen years until his last show in December 2024 — everything from interviewing the Prime Minister to performing live comedy sketches, hours of live television each morning, without a safety net. A seasoned journalist and broadcaster with more than twenty-five years covering major stories in Australia and around the world, he reported from the United States as Washington correspondent during the 2008 presidential election, and covered Hurricane Katrina, David Hicks's release from Guantanamo Bay, the Virginia Tech massacre and the Global Financial Crisis. He has also worked across the federal press gallery and reported on state politics around the nation, reported for the ABC's Inside Business program and served as Lateline's business and economics correspondent — giving him genuine range across politics, business and public affairs.

What makes Michael a distinctive MC is exactly what makes a great live television presenter: unflappable calm, dry wit and the ability to hold an audience through anything. He brings intellectual breadth — equally at ease discussing markets, politics, sport or culture — combined with the warmth that puts guests and audiences at ease. He has had a long involvement with the Melbourne Press Club, including a period as its Vice-President until he resigned from the board in 2019, and has MCed events across the country for a wide range of organisations.

Michael is the right choice for gala dinners, awards ceremonies, leadership summits and any high-profile event where the MC needs to carry the room with substance as well as style. The Melbourne Press Club, which has seen him host their Victorian Media Hall of Fame dinner and their annual Quill Awards at Crown Palladium for 600 guests, describes him as 'eloquent, charming and funny.' He is equally capable hosting intimate panel discussions or large-scale national conferences.