Former foreign correspondent Lisa Millar has been named as the replacement for Virginia Trioli on ABC television’s News Breakfast.

Millar, who filled in for Trioli earlier this year while she was on long service leave, will join Michael Rowland on the couch from August 19.

The ABC has also announced that Rowland will take on an additional role as the ABC’s senior network presenter.

Trioli is leaving the show to replace departing ABC Melbourne morning radio host Jon Faine in August. Her final News Breakfast show will be on August 15.

Find out who'll be taking over from @LaTrioli on @BreakfastNews. 7.45am @ABCTV @abcnews pic.twitter.com/Iy7PbaKQo9

— Michael Rowland (@mjrowland68) June 18, 2019

Millar returned to Australia last October after nine years of overseas postings in the US and Europe.

“I’ve been travelling quite a bit in regional Australia since I got back and people are always asking me about the brekky team and whether everyone is as nice and friendly as they seem,” Millar said.

“The answer is a definite ‘yes’. And I can’t wait to join them.”

https://twitter.com/LisaMillar/status/1141124343545487360

The ABC’s director of news, Gaven Morris said Millar had been an instant hit with viewers since filling in for Trioli earlier this year.

“Michael and Virginia have been terrific together for almost a decade, and News Breakfast has never been better viewing,” he said.

“I know that Michael and Lisa, working with EP Emily Butselaar and the rest of the team, will continue to deliver the combination of intelligent and entertaining morning television that the Brekky audience loves and values.”

News Breakfast launched in November 2008, with Trioli and veteran Barrie Cassidy as as hosts. Rowland joined as Cassidy’s replacement in 2010.

The show has grown significantly over the years and is the only Australia breakfast program to increase its audience year-on-year.

Rowland’s new role, as well as co-presenting News Breakfast, will include anchoring coverage of big local and world events across ABC News programs and platforms, including the 7pm TV news.

“I look forward to drawing on my experience as a foreign correspondent, and the dozens of on-location broadcasts I’ve hosted for News Breakfast over the years, to bring to ABC audiences breaking stories from around Australia and around the world,” he said.

-with AAP