Steve Austin (radio presenter)

Steve Austin
Born1960 or 1961 (age 63–64)[1]
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia[1]
Alma materDeakin University
Occupationradio presenter
Known forhosting radio programs on ABC Radio Brisbane
Notable workMornings
Drive

Stephen Austin (born 1960 or 1961) is an Australian radio presenter who is best known for his lengthy tenure hosting various programs on ABC Radio Brisbane.

Early life

Austin was born at Epworth Hospital in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond.[2]

He attended Syndal South Primary School, Caulfield Grammar School and Syndal Technical School.[2]

In the 1970s, he relocated with his parents to Nambour, Queensland where he worked in a number of jobs including as a pineapple picker, a waiter and as a worker in an electrical warehouse.[1]

Career

Austin commenced as a volunteer broadcaster at Brisbane community stations 4ZZZ and 4RPH in 1984, and completed a diploma at the Australian Institute of Radio and Television Production.[3][4]

He relocated to Townsville where he was a presenter for ABC North Queensland for seven years.[3]

Upon his return to Brisbane, he worked at ABC TV as a researcher and producer on the local edition of The 7.30 Report, before becoming the inaugural producer of Stateline Queensland.[2][3]

Austin ultimately returned to radio as a presenter on ABC Radio Brisbane and has since hosted a variety of programs including Mornings, Drive and Evenings while also serving as the station's program director.[2][3]

Austin departed the station on extended leave at the end of 2007, returning to the station in 2012.[5]

Upon Austin's return to the station's Mornings program, Queensland deputy premier Andrew Fraser refused to appear on the regular "Party Games" segment after taking umbrage at a discussion Austin had moderated about sand mining on Stradbroke Island.[6][7]

During a panel discussion in 2015, Austin described terrorist Osama bin Laden as an “honoured and respected shiek” and claimed reports of pornography found in bin Laden's bunker were due to a “public relations smear”.[8] The ABC defended Austin and said his comments were referencing bin Laden's reputation in his own community rather than it being a personal judgement.[9] However, Austin's comments were criticised by Queensland senator James McGrath during a Senate Estimates hearing.[9]

In 2018, ABC Radio Brisbane extended its breakfast program to 10am and introduced a new morning program called Focus Brisbane, hosted by Emma Griffiths.[10] As a result, Austin was moved to the station's Drive program. This was a move which was credited by Sydney broadcaster Ray Hadley as helping the ratings of The Ray Hadley Morning Show, heard in Brisbane on 4BC.[11] Hadley described Austin as “a proven performer”.[11]

In 2022, Austin claimed his Twitter account had been interfered with by LGBTIQ activists who were angered by a scheduled interview with a businesswoman who opposed new laws regarding birth certificates listing gender diverse people.[12] Screenshots of Austin's account were published, appearing to show that he had “liked” videos of transgender pornography. This prompted Austin to deactivate his profile and for the ABC to conduct an internal investigation.[12]

In December 2023, it was confirmed that Austin would be returning as the host of Mornings.[13]

Throughout his time hosting programs on ABC Radio Brisbane, Austin has interviewed every sitting Australian prime minister since the early 2000s including John Howard, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20]

References

  1. ^ a b c Houghton, Des (28 January 2012). "Steve takes the long way back". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "The Team: Steve Austin". 612 ABC Brisbane. 2002. Archived from the original on 7 March 2005. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Cripps, Andrew (21 April 2007). "Parliamentary Accountability and Ministerial Responsibility: What's working and what's not (transcript of proceedings)" (PDF). Australasian Study of Parliament Group (Queensland Chapter). Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  4. ^ Loftus, Tobi (8 December 2023). "4ZZZ celebrates 40th birthday". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 December 2023. A number of Brisbane radio presenters and producers started their careers at 4ZZZ including 612 ABC Brisbane Mornings presenter Steve Austin, who began his career on the "graveyard" shift
  5. ^ Swanwick, Tristan (2 December 2011). "Steve Austin the new Madonna". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  6. ^ Remeikis, Amy (17 January 2012). "Fraser's 'petulant' ABC ban questioned". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  7. ^ Skjonnemand, Ursula (16 January 2012). "612 Mornings kicks off for 2012 with Steve Austin". ABC Local. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  8. ^ "ABC jock: Osama bin Laden porn claims were smear campaign". The Courier-Mail. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  9. ^ a b Passmore, Daryl (28 May 2015). "ABC boss backs radio host Steve Austin after bin Laden comments". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  10. ^ Seeney, Belinda (6 December 2017). "ABC Radio Brisbane is to undergo a major change for 2018". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Ray Hadley: ABC Radio did me a huge favour by moving Steve Austin". The Courier-Mail. 18 March 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  12. ^ a b McCormack, Madura (5 December 2022). "ABC investigating amid claims Brisbane radio star Steve Austin 'liked' trans porn". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Shifting seats at ABC Radio Brisbane". radioinfo. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Transcript 21762: Interview with Steve Austin, ABC Radio Brisbane". PM Transcripts. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 19 May 2005. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Prime Minister Kevin Rudd answers the tough questions put to him by Steve Austin". ABC Radio Brisbane. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Transcript 18616: Interview with Steve Austin, ABC Brisbane". PM Transcripts. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Transcript 23746: Interview with Steve Austin, 612 ABC Brisbane". PM Transcripts. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Transcript 40915: Radio interview with Steve Austin, ABC Radio Brisbane". PM Transcripts. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  19. ^ "Radio interview with Steve Austin, ABC Brisbane". PM Transcripts. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  20. ^ "Radio interview – ABC Brisbane Drive with Steve Austin". Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.