When Lisa Wilkinson announced she was leaving Channel 9 for Network Ten, she had no idea how the Australian public would react.
After 10 years at the Today Show, Wilkinson decided to move on because the network reportedly refused to pay her the same as her co-host, Karl Stefanovic.
To her surprise, the public’s response was swift and overwhelmingly positive.
LISTEN: Lisa Wilkinson talks to Mia Freedman about her marriage with Peter FitzSimons, and her best tips for making it work. Post continues after audio…
“It’s a response I never could have predicted,” she told The Daily Telegraph. “And I am so grateful to everyone who has taken the time to send messages, stop me in the street and generally make their feelings on the issue widely known.”
Wilkinson said the response that meant the most to her was also the one that no one could have predicted.
“The most meaningful response of all has come from parents – particularly fathers – of girls AND boys who’ve told me what they believe having this issue on the front page has meant for the next generation, who they say just think the gender pay gap is silly and simply doesn’t make any sense. Hallelujah to that!”
The TV presenter is pleased she has helped start a conversation about the gender pay gap, but she believes we still have a long way to go.
“I think every woman who sees that there are injustices going on in the workplace, merely by dint of the gender they were born, has a role to play,” she said.
LISTEN: Lisa Wilkinson on marriage, Karl and her latest project. Post continues after audio…
“The gender pay gap is one of the major reasons that women over 55 are now the fastest growing group in the homeless sector in this country. And if we don’t all take a stand, those numbers will only grow.”
Wilkinson will make her first appearance on the Sunday version of The Project in late January.
Top Comments
Has any body asked the question how much her male colleague is earning at channel Ten for doing the same job? Pay inequality is a insidious reality where ever it rears it’s ugly head.
Lisa has hit on the most important problem that society is facing, not only housing but the cost of it. For those young women who don't think that their husbands, partners will leave them for a younger version. I wouldn't be so sure of that. I have seen so many wives of judges, lawyers, barristers, accountants, who were so used to the high life suddenly usurped by the mistress that has been sitting in the closet waiting until just that right moment to make a claim on "their" estate. This is why there is a problem with such high levels of homelessness in this age group, its' hidden often out of our own fear of admitting failure. We also need to remember that these men also know how to hide assets in trusts & in other holding companies overseas, (ie the cayman islands) which the courts can do little to nothing about, accessing & giving their spouses any money to support them in their old age.This is why these women often find themselves at the bottom of the ladder & a long way down from where they started. I'm not wanting to rub this in, it's an awful waste, but I really think that young women today need to pay attention to not only what is going on in their relationships but also realise that they need to take note & be aware that things can go wrong, even in the "healthiest" of relationships, therapy or sitting down with your spouse is a great way of checking in with the relationship & keeping the communication flowing. So Thanks for highlighting this most frightening & modern of phenomenons. For not only our next generation, but also those that are unfortunate enough to have to live with it in the present. Who thought having a roof over your head in 20017 would be such a contentious issue.