Last night, on ABCs The Weekly with Charlie Pickering, Lisa Wilkinson addressed rumours that her Today Show co-host, Karl Stefanovic, is paid substantially more than her.
Wilkinson appeared on the program to celebrate 10 years on Channel Nine’s Today, where she has interviewed six different Australian Prime Ministers, the family from the Sound of Music, and even Melania Trump.
Halfway through the interview, Pickering asked, “I’d like to talk about an issue that I’m sure is close to your heart. I’d like to talk about the gender pay gap on your show. Because it’s been widely reported that Karl is paid significantly more than you as a host on The Today Show, why do you think that is?”
Wilkinson took a deep breath and responded, “And you believe everything you read?”
Without skipping a beat, Pickering said, "Well I believe everything Karl's publicist puts out."
The conversation continued, "I have no idea what Karl's on just as he has no idea what I'm on."
"Oh this is fascinating now" Pickering pressed. "You've never thought of having a friends-style pact where you both get paid the same?"
After a moment of thought, Wilkinson replied, "Um, no."
"Right," Pickering said.
"I suspect that's bullshit."
In a tense moment, Wilkinson retorted, "I can put my hand on my heart and say I have no idea what Karl is paid and he has no idea what I am paid."
Mia Freedman interviews Lisa Wilkinson on No Filter, about kids, Karl and her latest project. Post continues below.
"And you don't think Channel Nine is the place where men would be paid more than women for the same work?" Pickering asked.
"I do it out of love anyway..." Wilkinson said.
They then moved on to the subject of Wilkinson's marriage with Peter Fitzsimmons.
In June of last year, it was reported by The Australian, that Stefanovic earns two and a half times the salary of Wilkinson.
Stefanovic was said to make roughly $2.5 million annually, in comparison to Wilkinson's $1 million pay cheque.
At the time, a spokesperson from Channel Nine declined to comment.
Do you think salary should be discussed in the workplace?
Top Comments
Both of them are terribly overpaid
I have to admit I was deeply disappointed to learn this. If you're going too talk the feminist talk you need to walk it as well especially given how much you talk about equality for all woman. Until I learn their wages are equal I will find myself tuning out when Lisa starts with femineity. As a Mother of daughter's, I believe in raising without the constant gender barrage. I think the goal of equality for all rests in how I treat others regardless of their gender. I don't believe that a man should be shamed for buying a woman and outfit whilst for her it's accepted. In my eyes that's blatant discrimination and I believe it's statements like that which paint feminist's in poor light and haul their blight back in the dark ages. I would prefer my children, both boys and girls, to understand that anyone, trying to control what you wear, may not have the best of intentions. I do that with everything. My youngest wants to be a doctor when she grows up. Not once have I heard her question her ability or her fear that possibly her gender may be of hindrance. I stay in the home whilst my Husband works. I am very honest with my children when I tell them it's my choice to do that and the minute I am not happy with that then I'll change it. In fact in the last twelve months I have felt a change. I have been honest in sharing that Mummy needs more stimulation. Daddy having to step in? That's not even a thought or a conversation point, they just know it will happen. No boys versus girl thing just two individuals in a partnership who love and commit to their family.