INSIDE MAIL: The truth about Lisa Wilkinson's political ambitions - and what it means for her media comeback
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Australians love a comeback and, in the case of Lisa Wilkinson, it's neither a case of 'if' or 'when' she's back in the spotlight, but rather what form her return will take.
For weeks, the rumour mill has been spinning with speculation she is going to have a tilt at federal politics, with insiders saying she would be a shoo-in for a seat in the looming election. (She'd fit right in with the Teals, we reckon.)
But alas, we can confirm she isn't going into the political game. For now, at least.
In the clearest indication yet the polished presenter is far from done with journalism, she has privately dismissed claims she is looking to make a career pivot this year.
Wilkinson's plans for the future have been one of the hottest topics of conversation within the industry since she formally parted ways with Ten over the festive break.
She further fuelled discussion after sharing a cryptic social media post last week revealing she was looking forward to 'new beginnings' in 2025.
Lisa Wilkinson's (left) work supporting Brittany Higgins (right) has won her a legion of support among women who see her as a fearless champion for justice
The message had the hacks at Woman's Day - owned by Are Media, the company formerly known as Australian Consolidated Press, where Lisa made her name as an editor in the 1980s - feverishly speculating she was about to announce her decision to stand for public office.
And, of course, it's not such a strange premise.
Despite being off-air for the past two years following something of a falling-out with her former paymasters at Ten, Wilkinson remains one of the country's most famous media identities and bankable drawcards.
What's more, her work supporting Brittany Higgins has won her a legion of support among women young and old who see her as a fearless champion for justice.
However, the star's reps assure us a political future is not on the cards just yet.
'Lisa is very proud of the work she did in helping to expose the toxic workplace culture in Parliament House in her landmark Brittany Higgins interview - a toxic culture confirmed in the 2021 Jenkins Report by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins,' one member of Team Wilkinson told Inside Mail.
'But at this point, Lisa has no plans to head to Parliament House.'
A missed opportunity? Perhaps... but it almost certainly suggest she has already has something else in mind.
The polisher presenter remains a media drawcard despite parting ways with Ten this month
Wilkinson is still revered for keeping 'work husband' Karl Stefanovic on his toes during her long-running reign as Nine's Today show co-host
Having collected the full set of commercial TV networks - having fronted Seven's Weekend Sunrise, Nine's Today show and Ten's The Project - what 'new beginnings' could be left?
Well, our sources continue to muse that signing Wilkinson could prove quite a coup by the ABC and would be more than in line with the new management's populist direction under new chairman Kim Williams (and that's certainly not a bad thing).
Of course, who really knows what the future holds for the TV veteran? Well, she does - and her reps too - but they're not telling.
So stay tuned.
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