Nine Entertainment’s national news content director, Gareth Parker, has quit the network and will return to Perth to take up a role in the Forrest family’s business empire.
Nine Entertainment’s national news content director, Gareth Parker, has quit the network and will return to Perth to take up a role in the Forrest family’s business empire.
He will return with family to Perth from Sydney, where he has worked since he was promoted to a national news role in 2024.
An internal communication sent by Nine director of news and current affairs Fiona Dear to staff this morning, and obtained by Business News, said Mr Parker had a lasting impact on the network and would leave with its blessing.
The former journalist to finish with the network on June 17 and take up a role at Tattarang, the family business privately owned by Andrew and Nicola Forrest.
“I know this has been a huge decision for Gareth and his young family, but we fully support his intention to move closer to family and take his career in a different path after a 22-year career in journalism,” Ms Dear's note to staff said.
Nine will begin a recruitment process for Mr Parker’s replacement soon.
At Tattarang, Mr Parker will work as executive director of corporate affairs and advocacy.
Tattarang chief executive John Hartman told Business News Mr Parker would be a valuable addition.
“Gareth has deep knowledge and strong connections across government, industry and media, which will be a valuable addition for Tattarang and our portfolio of important Australian businesses,” he said.
“We look forward to welcoming him back to Perth and to the team at Tattarang.”
Mr Parker's appointment follows the departure of Adam Haynes in December 2025, who left to lead media for Commonwealth Bank in Sydney.
Former external affairs and communications director Anthony Flannery also left the business for a position in New South Wales in 2025. Mr Flannery was once head of news at Network Ten and was formerly chair of the Western Force.
Mr Parker’s departure from Nine’s national office comes just over a year after former Seven director of news and current affairs Anthony De Ceglie abruptly left his post to run the Perth Bears rugby league franchise.
Mr De Ceglie and Mr Parker were promoted from Perth to national roles within six months of one another in 2024, in a major shakeup of the local media landscape.
