Nine Network has promoted Gareth Parker into the newly created role of Network News Content Director. Currently serving as Director of News at 9News Perth, the new role will require Parker to relocate to the Network's headquarters in Sydney.

Parker will now report to Fiona Dear, Nine Network’s Director of News and Current Affairs, with responsibilities that include overseeing and coordinating critical news coverage for Channel 9’s state-based newsrooms. He will also manage the swift and cohesive distribution of news content nationally across Nine Network’s key platforms.

The appointment is part of an effort to evolve the 9News structure and set an industry-leading precedent. Parker's role will be instrumental in this transformation, leveraging his experience and expertise to deliver expert content for the entire network.

"The 9News Network desk is a critical piece of our transformation project in terms of delivering expert content for the entire network. Gareth has done an incredible job leading the team in Perth and significantly growing that audience and I can’t wait to see what he achieves with this new network project," said Dear.

"We have grown audiences significantly over the past two years in Perth, and this is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the team, with more and more viewers trusting and turning to 9News. I can’t thank the entire Nine Perth team for their unwavering support and hard work in the service of our audiences and I look forward to getting stuck into this national role to maximise the reach and impact of our talented reporting teams right around the country," said Parker.

During the transitional period, seasoned senior reporter and presenter Michael Genovese will step in as interim 9News Perth Director of News. "Having worked at Nine for over a decade this appointment is a privilege, and I’m eager to step in and continue to grow audiences and lead the team to continue to deliver Perth’s best news, from Today Perth in the morning, to our afternoon and flagship 6pm bulletins," said Genovese.