Lisa Wilkinson addresses Today departure for first time

Lisa Wilkinson was forced ‘take a stand’ and leave Today over pay gap with Karl Stefanovic, the journalist has claimed.

The 57-year-old media personality addressed her controversial exit from Nine for the first time on Thursday at a business breakfast in Melbourne.

The former Today host told the audience there was a ‘pattern being repeated’ that spurned her sudden departure from the show, The Australian reported.

‘I just didn’t want to live a lie anymore’: Lisa Wilkinson reveals she felt forced to ‘take a stand’ over pay gap with Karl Stefanovic as she addresses her controversial exit from Today for the first time

In October, Lisa quit her Today hosting role after negotiations for her new salary stalled.

Speaking at the business gala, Lisa said she had felt pushed past her limit when she decided to defect to Network 10.

‘When you feel that there’s a pattern being repeated that’s when you have to take a stand,’ she said.

Broke her silence: Lisa addressed her departure from her co-hosting gig with Karl for the first time on Thursday 

Broke her silence: Lisa addressed her departure from her co-hosting gig with Karl for the first time on Thursday 

Exit: In October, Lisa quit her Today hosting role after negotiations for her new salary stalled 

Exit: In October, Lisa quit her Today hosting role after negotiations for her new salary stalled 

‘You draw a line in the sand, you work out this far and no further, and I got to that line in the sand and said ”this far and no further”. And it was a really simple decision in the end.’ 

The decision to leave was part of being ‘true to myself’ and standing by her previous comments about gender equality in the workplace, she added.

‘I had to be true to myself and if it did reignite the conversation, I’m thrilled because I just didn’t want to live a lie anymore,’ Lisa said.

'I had to be true to myself and if it did reignite the conversation': The decision to leave was part of being 'true to myself' and standing by her previous comments about gender equality in the workplace, she added

‘I had to be true to myself and if it did reignite the conversation’: The decision to leave was part of being ‘true to myself’ and standing by her previous comments about gender equality in the workplace, she added

'Karl is worth more money': Nine had argued they were unable to pay Lisa the same as Karl because she didn't do as much work

‘Karl is worth more money’: Nine had argued they were unable to pay Lisa the same as Karl because she didn’t do as much work

While admitting it had been ‘tough’ to quit, Lisa said it made her work out ‘what my value was’ and how she didn’t need to be ‘grateful’ for everything. 

Following Lisa’s departure, Nine had argued they were unable to pay Lisa the same as Karl because she didn’t do as much work.  

News Corp previously claimed Karl made between $2 and $3 million annually depending on ratings, while Lisa was reportedly taking home a salary of $1.1 million.

Nine CEO Hugh Marks argued that Lisa could not have been paid the same as Karl because of her work as editor-at-large of Huffington Post Australia, which last week ended when Fairfax Media terminated their joint venture with the news outlet.  

Pay gap: News Corp previously claimed Karl made between $2 and $3 million annually depending on ratings, while Lisa was reportedly taking home a salary of $1.1 million 

Pay gap: News Corp previously claimed Karl made between $2 and $3 million annually depending on ratings, while Lisa was reportedly taking home a salary of $1.1 million 

An anonymous Nine executive also added: ‘As the host of two shows, Today and This Time Next Year, as well as a contributor to 60 Minutes and a specialist news reporter, Karl is worth more money. That’s just a fact.’  

Lisa has defected to rival network 10 for a role on The Project in 2018, with her new salary there rumoured to be worth $2 million. 

Channel Nine refused to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.  

New job: Lisa has defected to rival network 10 for a role on The Project in 2018, with her new salary there rumoured to be worth $2 million 

New job: Lisa has defected to rival network 10 for a role on The Project in 2018, with her new salary there rumoured to be worth $2 million 

 

 

 



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