ABC Breakfast host Lisa Millar goes dark online after ‘truly vile and distressing personal attacks’

ABC TV breakfast presenter Lisa Millar has pulled the plug on her Twitter account after being targeted by online trolls.

Co-host Michael Rowlands confirmed Millar was going underground after users spotted she had deactivated her social media account with almost 55,000 followers.

‘She was on the receiving end of some truly vile and distressing personal attacks,’  Rowlands said. 

‘We all cop criticism here. No one is perfect. 

‘But the stuff Lisa was subjected to was next level. Those responsible should be ashamed.’

Millar joined the ABC in the 90s and had worked as a USA and Washington correspondent before replacing News Breakfast host Virginia Trioli full-time in August 2019.

The Walkley Award-winning Queenslander is the daughter of former National Party MP Clarrie Millar, sparking accusations of a Coalition-bias by social media critics.

Left-wing trolls have piled on the abuse at every opportunity, claiming Millar gives an easy ride to Liberal premiers and MPs at the expense of Labor politicians.

But others have also savagely attacked her personal appearance. 

Lisa Millar (pictured left) joined the ABC in the 90s and had spells as USA correspondent before replacing News Breakfast host Virginia Trioli (right) full-time in August 2019

One Twitter account, @lefty_human, posted a pic of Hollywood actor Joaquin Phoenix as The Joker, with the caption: ‘Lisa Miller’s make-up.’ 

‘Have been watching the ABC for a few years, Lisa Millar is the most biased and unintelligent announcer they have had,’ tweeted Michael Todd.

‘The way she has behaved in the past 3 months is atrocious. Literally nobody can stand her sorry. She is the female Barnaby Joyce.’ 

Left-wing trolls piled on abuse at every opportunity, claiming Lisa Millar (pictured here with co-host Michael Rowlands) gives an easy ride to Liberal MPs at the expense of Labor politicians

‘We say it yet again. Please @breakfastnews find Lisa Millar another job,’ tweeted Lee Stonehouse ‘We just can’t watch it anymore.

‘We need some kind of balance when she’s interviewing Labor politicians.’

However many leapt to Millar’s defence after discovering she had switched off her account.

Veteran left-wing firebrand journalist Mike Carlton heaped praise on Millar.

‘Extraordinary. I have known Lisa Millar since the 90s, when I last worked at ABC radio,’ he tweeted on Wednesday.

‘She is a thoroughly professional journalist and a thoroughly nice person.’

Former Labour Party candidate turned ex-NSW Liberal Party state director Remo Nogarotto also paid tribute to Millar’s talent.

‘I had occasion to interact professionally with Lisa during her time in London,’ he said on Wednesday. 

‘Well researched, hard without being dogmatic and respectful of the right to an alternative view. 

‘The gutless and bilious attacks on her are emblematic of the lack of civility in public discourse today.’ 

Twitter fan ‘Daniel’ added: ‘Maybe our Twitter uses should be more pragmatic rather than allowing their political allegiances to drive them to personal attacks and abuse. 

‘Honestly, making excuses for this vitriol because you don’t like her reporting. It’s ridiculous.’

Veteran left-wing firebrand journalist Mike Carlton was one of many to heap praise on Ms Millar (pictured)

An ABC spokesman confirmed Ms Millar had turned off Twitter and said it was a symptom of unwarranted attacks on women presenters.

‘Lisa has decided to deactivate her Twitter account for the time being after several months of sustained, personal attack,’ a spokesman said. 

‘Using social media platforms to abuse and bully people is repugnant and unacceptable. 

‘Women often seem to be particularly targeted by this sort of behaviour. It should not be tolerated on any level.’