Barrie Cassidy has been the host of Insiders since its inception in July 2001. Before that he worked as political correspondent for ABC News and 7.30 and as a foreign correspondent based in Washington and Brussels. He was also the senior press secretary and political adviser to Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Barrie is from Chiltern in North East Victoria and started his journalism career as a cadet at The Border Mail in Albury. In 2006 he created the sports discussion program Offsiders and was host for eight years.