Kerri Elstub – one of the first people to read The Squiz every morning – has a big job. She’s the digital editorial director of Nine’s lifestyle, news and sport websites 9honey.com.au, nine.com.au, 9news.com.au and WWOS.com.au. Before that she was the supervising producer of A Current Affair. In her downtime, you can find her on the sideline of her kids’ soccer games in ‘the Shire’ – Sydney’s southern beachside suburbs. Please welcome Kerri to the Three Minute Squiz.

How and where do you Squiz?
I read the email when it first pops up in my inbox and I squiz the podcast on the train every morning.

A Current Affair is an icon of Aussie media. What’s the most memorable story from your time there?
There are many stories that I’m proud of, but one of my favourites was when we allowed pensioners to live like politicians for a day giving them the same pay and perks. It was a real eye opener.

What do you say to the critics of the show?
A Current Affair really is the people’s show. It tells the stories of viewers, their battles and their triumphs.

Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny had Tracy Grimshaw over to their home this week for an interview. Why would they choose to do that as one of their first media outings together since he became PM?
Tracy is the best interviewer in the country and has one of the biggest national audiences of any public affairs TV shows. His advisers would know that speaking to her is a smart move politically and publicly. And how amazing is Jenny Morrison! As a Shire girl myself, I was proud to see they sat down in their suburban home.

You are now the editorial director across Nine’s digital sites. What’s been the biggest challenge in transitioning from TV to online news?
Learning the lingo and the sheer volume of figures. It may kill me, I’m understanding a bit more every day.

Clickbait, thoughts?
There’s clickbait and then there’s a clever headline. At Nine we know the difference.

Alright, let’s learn a bit more about you. Where were you born?
I’m a Shire girl born and bred. Never leaving And now the PM lives here too so that’s got to be a good sign!

If you could invite any four people – living or dead – to dinner, who would they be? And what is on the menu?
First guest without doubt, The Queen. What an extraordinary woman. I’m fascinated by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis so let’s add her to the list. Madonna would be a great conversation starter. She really was and still is the soundtrack to my life. And let’s have some fun too by adding the late great Robin Williams! Can it be a dessert menu? My friends know my diet consists exclusively of icing and fudge.

What would you say is the most overrated virtue?
Patience. I lack it in spades.

Your favourite book and writer?
The last book I completely adored was Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine* by Gail Honeyman. What a fabulous character. My favourite authors range anywhere between Wilbur Smith and Marian Keyes depending on my mood. Sometimes you want a bit of romance, other times I just want to escape to Africa.

What’s your worst and best habit?
I think my best/worst habit is that I can’t and don’t sit still. Ever. I blame my dad. He has ants in his pants too!

What skill or talent do you not have but wish you did?
I wish I could draw. I can’t even doodle a stick figure.

What’s your ideal weekend?
Me, a paddle board, and no-one around for miles. But in reality, I spend most of my weekends at the kids soccer.

What would you say is the most currently overlooked news story we should know about?
Anxiety and depression in kids. Navigating your way to adulthood nowadays is completely different to what we all went through. We need to make sure our kids are okay.

*Buy this book using this link and The Squiz will get a little commission.