Charles Croucher

Charles Croucher is an Australian journalist.

He is currently the Nine Network's chief political editor, a position he was appointed to in October 2022.

Early life and career He grew up in Branxton, New South Wales. He attended Hunter Valley Grammar School, graduating in 2005.

In 2009, Croucher was a finalist in the "Best News Presenter (Country)" category at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards but lost to Lois Chislett from 3YB in Warrnambool, Victoria.

Television career In 2010, Croucher began his long association with the Nine Network in Darwin when he was appointed a sports reporter for Nine News Darwin where he also became a weekend news presenter.

National Press Club incident Following a National Press Club address in October 2022, Croucher asked Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers whether the Australian Labor Party's promise to cut electricity bills by $275 had been included in the Federal Budget, Chalmers mistakenly claimed: "Yep, it's in the Budget". However, Chalmers later claimed to have misheard the question, phoning Croucher to confess his mistake, and correcting the record in the House of Representatives.

The incident was widely reported and commentated on in the media. Chalmers was criticised for his explanation by 2GB host Ben Fordham who doubted that he had misheard Croucher's question.