Lisa Wilkinson abruptly left the Today show earlier this month, after a dispute over equal pay.
And her former Today show co-hosts took a swipe at the 57-year-old, during an appearance at a charity event in Sydney on Thursday.
‘We’re getting paid the same amount to be here today,’ Karl Stefanovic joked to the crowd, alongside Richard Wilkins, that had one social media user venting to Instagram: ‘Very crude men to be making jokes about wages.’
Vocal: The Today show’s Karl Stefanovic (pictured), 43, and Richard Wilkins took a swipe at former co-host Lisa Wilkinson, at a charity event in Sydney on Thursday, after her shock resignation
Taking to the stage at the Sony Foundation Wharf4Ward charity event, Karl, 43, dressed in his signature suit, white shirt and tie, asked the crowd: ‘What’s the elephant in the room?’
He went on to say: ‘Well Dickie (Richard) and I are getting paid the same amount to be here today for you all.’
Richard, 63, appeared slightly awkward, and offered an ‘absolutely nothing’ in response.
Looking to divert the topic of conversation, Richard went on to praise the volunteers for giving up their time for a worthwhile cause.
Turn of events: The comments follow Lisa’s shock resignation from the Channel Nine’s Today earlier this month, after an explosive report claimed her contract negotiations had been ‘stalled’
A short clip of the incident was captured and posted to the KIIS 1065 Instagram account.
Social media users were quick to voice their opinion on Karl’s choice of words, with one in particular commenting: ‘Very crude men @richardwilkins typical of wealthy men to be making jokes about wages when they are rolling in the dough.’
While another offered: ‘If Karl was getting less than Lisa would he be joking about it!! Tosser…love that KIIS pays you both the same!! As it should be!’
Wage war: The Sunday Telegraph alleged that Lisa, 57, was holding out on re-signing until she was granted ‘pay parity’ with Karl
The comments follow Lisa’s shock resignation from the Channel Nine’s Today earlier this month, after an explosive report claimed her contract negotiations had been ‘stalled.’
The Sunday Telegraph alleged that Lisa was holding out on re-signing until she was granted ‘pay parity’ with Karl.
It was suggested the reason Lisa wanted the same money as Karl, was because he was ‘rumoured to be on twice as much.’
Reports: It was suggested the reason Lisa wanted the same money as Karl, was because he was ‘rumoured to be on twice as much.’ The Australian had previously reported that Karl earns at least $2 million a year, in a three-year contract with a potential bonus that could take his salary to $3 million if ratings were hit
The Australian had previously reported that Karl earns at least $2 million a year, in a three-year contract with a potential bonus that could take his salary to $3 million if ratings were hit.
Lisa was also was said by The Daily Telegraph to have been on a $1.1 million a year contract, with Nine only willing to increase the amount to $1.8 million.
The amount was claimed to have not been enough for her to stay with the network, defecting to Ten where she will co-host news and current affairs program, The Project.
Nine CEO Hugh Marks spoke out on the claims, saying that he offered Lisa $1.8 million, but that she asked for $2.3 million.
Jumping ship: Lisa was also was said by The Daily Telegraph to have been on a $1.1 million a year contract, with Nine only willing to increase the amount to $1.8 million. The amount was claimed to have not been enough for her to stay with the network, defecting to Ten where she will co-host news and current affairs program, The Project
New chapter: Lisa however looks set to reap the rewards of her daring move by becoming ‘Network Ten’s Oprah’ when she starts in January 2018
‘I went to an incredible amount of trouble to build that [$1.8 million] package for her. She wanted $2.3 million. It wasn’t a $200,000 shortfall to [Karl’s] $2 million magic number. It was $500,000,’ he told the The Daily Telegraph.
Lisa however looks set to reap the rewards of her daring move by becoming ‘Network Ten’s Oprah’ when she starts in January 2018.
The mother-of-three is set to host her own Sunday night current affairs program during prime time, according to an insider, The Herald Sun reported.
Lisa will front the program, going in to battle with Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes, and Seven’s Sunday Night, while also hosting The Project two nights a week.
Gig: The mother-of-three is set to host her own Sunday night current affairs program during prime time, according to an insider, The Herald Sun reported. Lisa will front the program, going in to battle with Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes, and Seven’s Sunday Night, while also hosting The Project two nights a week