Shock as popular Channel Nine reporter announces he's quitting after more than 20 years at the network
Brisbane State Political Editor Tim Arvier announced on Wednesday that he will be departing the network.
'After 21 adventurous years filing stories for Nine, I'm having a bit of a change with a new job,' Arvier wrote in a post made to Instagram.
The Australian reported Arvier was eyeing a contract at rival network Seven in recent weeks, but the seasoned reporter left his colleagues stunned by his next move.
Instead, he will be batting for the other team from the Queensland Premier's office.
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Arvier will head up crisis communications for Premier David Crisafulli.
'I'll be moving away from the day-to-day shenanigans of Queensland politics & heading to government department land for some new responsibilities, including heading up the Queensland Crisis Communications Network to oversee events like floods, cyclones and major police/emergency incidents,' Arvier continued in his post.
In 2020, Arvier was named Queensland's 'Journalist of the Year' for his work as Nine's US Correspondent during the Minneapolis riots following George Floyd's death.
The Aussie journalist was detained and searched by US police in pursuit of the story.
After covering the 2020 US Election and both of Donald Trump's impeachments, Arvier returned home to Brisbane to join the Nine Queensland newsroom, where he began his career as a cadet in 2004.
In 2021, he was named as a finalist in the Walkley Awards for his investigation into Queensland's ambulance delays.
In his new role, Arvier will be tasked with containing political scandals, the likes of which he used to report to the public.
The news has 'stunned colleagues' at Channel Nine, according to The Australian.
The publication reported Arvier was musing about his next career move and Seven would likely need to front a $300,000 salary to poach him.
'Although we hear Seven did make some furtive inquiries about procuring Arvier's services, unfortunately they couldn't find quite enough spare change under the sofa cushions,' they reported.
Arvier is said to be mentoring the rising stars at Nine before he departs the network for good.
'I'll miss working at Nine,' he said.
'It's a great place full of great people and I've made many lifelong friends amongst the camera teams, producers & editors. A special thanks to the Qld leadership team of Brendan Hockings & Kylie Blucher for their unwavering support over the years.
'The newsroom is in great hands and I know it will continue to thrive.'
In a statement provided to The Australian, news boss Hockings said he was disappointed to lose a star player like Arvier.
'We've spoken about this at length, so I know how Tim has agonised over leaving a profession and place he loves but, in the end, he feels the time is right to take on this new role. He leaves with our thanks and best wishes.'
If Hockings is worried about how Arvier's impending exit will impact the local ratings against Seven, he didn't let on.
'Nine is Queensland's No.1 television news thanks to the strength of our teams across the board,' he said.
'We have a very healthy stable of newsbreakers and I'm excited to watch them take up the challenge of holding the government to account.'
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