The Future of Maxine McKew

Today's announcement that veteran ABC reporter Maxine McKew will not be renewing her contract next year came as quite a surprise. There's certainly been no obvious sign that she has become disinterested in her work, other than a reduction in her activities. If her decision was made based on the recent changes at the ABC - and I hasten to add that she has made absolutely no public suggestion that this was the case - it would be a terrible shame.

However, McKew has made all mentions of her future pretty hazy, though she obviously has plenty of productive years ahead of her in some field or another. Without further ado, let me be the first to suggest that McKew may have a very particular new career in mind.

Mark Latham was the first to put on record the fact that McKew had been approached by the ALP to stand for a Federal seat, but a deal could not be reached. McKew is of course married to former ALP National Organiser Bob Hogg, so has sometimes been seen in a non-professional capacity at ALP events. The next election will be held in about a years' time, making it the ideal period to scope out new candidates.

I'll certainly miss McKew's calm, commonsense reportage, but should my prediction be true, I think she'd be a brilliant, thoughtful and whip smart MP. If nothing else, it could certainly make for some interesting interviews at her former workplace ...