Karen Middleton

Karen Middleton is a political journalist in the Canberra Press Gallery covering the Parliament of Australia in Canberra, the national capital of Australia.

Work

Middleton is Chief Political Correspondent and Canberra Bureau Chief for SBS Television.

She is a seasoned radio and TV commentator, with a weekly radio spot on James O'Loghlin's Evening Show on ABC Radio across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, and on Perth radio 6PR, Sydney radio 2GB and ABC Radio National, and TV appearances on "Sunrise" on the Seven Network, "Meet the Press" on the Ten Network, and ABC TV's "Insiders".

She has been political correspondent for several newspapers, most recently "The West Australian", but also the Melbourne "Age" and "Herald-Sun", and the "Canberra Times", and is an occasional contributor to the "New York Times".

Professional Associations

* President, 2005-present, Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery
* Board Member, 2005-present, MediaTeam Australia [http://www.mediateam.com.au]

Afghanistan, March 2007

While on assignment in Afghanistan in March 2007, Middleton and other Australian journalists were travelling in an Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter that was fired on with at least one rocket propelled grenade. Middleton's SBS colleague, cameraman Jamie Kidston, was at the rear ramp of the helicopter and filmed the RPG pass the back of the Chinook. He only saw the missile pass when reviewing and editing the tape. The story made national news on several TV and radio networks, and in newspapers. [Close call for Aussie journos, SBS news 14 March 2007 http://www.worldnewsaustralia.com.au/region.php?id=135468&region=2] accessed 15 March 2007]

This visit was neatly timed to coincide with an un-announced visit by Prime Minister John Howard and Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, to meet Australian troops. Howard also met the President, Hamid Karzai. [Howard pays Afghanistan surprise visit, ABC news 15 March 2007 [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1873083.htm] accessed 16 March 2007]

ocial

Middleton grew up in Canberra, where her father served as a senior bureaucrat with the Government.

She has been a regular volunteer of her time and talent to assist refugee families relocate to Australia.

She has been a life-long friend of leading Australian social activist Lin Hatfield Dodds.

Jim Middleton

Karen Middleton is not directly related to Jim Middleton, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Political Correspondent at Parliament House in Canberra.

References