Sunrise’s Natalie Barr slams Samantha Armytage’s claims that married women don’t work as hard

‘I don’t feel like I’ve worked less’: Sunrise’s new host Natalie Barr takes a stab at Sam Armytage’s claims that women don’t have to work as hard when they’re married with kids

Sunrise’s new host Natalie Barr has taken a stab at her predecessor Samantha Armytage for claiming that women are given an easier ride at work when they are married with children.      

Natalie, 52, who shares two teenage sons with husband Andrew Thompson, remained silent for two weeks before finally hitting back at Sam’s views on Sunday. 

‘I don’t feel like I’ve worked less being a wife and mum. I don’t feel like I’ve had to prove anything either, that’s how it’s always worked for me,’ she told The Courier Mail.    

Pictured: Samantha Armytage

‘I don’t feel like I’ve worked less’: Sunrise’s Natalie Barr, 52, (left) has hit back at 44-year-old Samantha Armytage’s (right) claims that women don’t have to work as hard when they are married with children

While Natalie agreed that ‘everyone is entitled to their opinion’, the veteran presenter insisted that she’s always worked just as hard as her unmarried, childless female colleagues. 

‘I feel like I’ve worked really hard and I’ve put my hand up for every job, every news story that involved going away,’ she said. 

‘I’ve been to floods and fires and terror attacks and US elections and I love taking on all that extra load, it’s why I became a journalist. I put my hand up as high as I can to get to those jobs and do the extra stuff,’ she said. 

Agree to disagree: Speaking to The Courier Mail on Sunday, Natalie agreed that 'everyone is entitled to their opinion' but insisted that she's always worked just as hard as her unmarried, childless female colleagues

Agree to disagree: Speaking to The Courier Mail on Sunday, Natalie agreed that ‘everyone is entitled to their opinion’ but insisted that she’s always worked just as hard as her unmarried, childless female colleagues

Working mother: Natalie shares two teenage sons with husband Andrew Thompson (pictured together in 2006)

Working mother: Natalie shares two teenage sons with husband Andrew Thompson (pictured together in 2006)

Natalie insisted that her workload would be the same, even if she was unmarried with no children.  

On March 1, Samantha sensationally wrote in her column for Stellar magazine that ‘bosses don’t ask as much of you if you’re a wife or mother’. 

She wrote: ‘I’ve never shied away from hard work, but there was an expectation that Sam would do it because she’s got nothing else going on. 

Taking a stand: Samantha boldly claimed that 'bosses don't ask as much of you if you're a wife or mother' in an article for Stellar magazine earlier this month

Taking a stand: Samantha boldly claimed that ‘bosses don’t ask as much of you if you’re a wife or mother’ in an article for Stellar magazine earlier this month

‘[Sometimes I’d think], ‘Well, actually, I’d get something else going on if you didn’t make me do this,” she added.  

Many readers took issue with the fact the opinion piece seemed to pit women against each other based on their family situation. 

‘I think most bosses see the importance of raising a future generation,’ one person Tweeted, while another wrote: ‘Thank you Sam you just pushed us back 30 years.’   

'Thank you Sam you just pushed us back 30 years': Many readers took issue with the fact the opinion piece seemed to pit women against each other based on their family situation. Sam is pictured on set of Sunrise with her dog Banjo

‘Thank you Sam you just pushed us back 30 years’: Many readers took issue with the fact the opinion piece seemed to pit women against each other based on their family situation. Sam is pictured on set of Sunrise with her dog Banjo 

One Twitter user said they ‘struggled’ listening to the ‘wailing of celebrities’ who complain about their workplace despite being paid extraordinarily high salaries

‘Many would swap! Harsh industry, BOO!’ they added.  

It comes amid the news that Natalie has been confirmed as Samantha Armytage’s permanent replacement on Sunrise. 

It's official! Natalie has  been confirmed as Samantha's permanent replacement on Channel Seven's breakfast show Sunrise

It’s official! Natalie has  been confirmed as Samantha’s permanent replacement on Channel Seven’s breakfast show Sunrise

In a statement on Sunday, Natalie told viewers she’s looking forward to stepping into Samantha’s shoes.  

‘Sunrise has been my work family for 18 years and while I’ve absolutely loved my role as newsreader, I’ve now been given the chance to move half a metre along the desk closer to Kochie and give something new a try,’ she said.

As of Monday, Natalie will sit alongside co-host David ‘Kochie’ Koch on the panel as she makes her official debut in the coveted role. 

History of Samantha Armytage’s highs and lows

January 2014: Samantha is criticised for ‘offending strippers’ by joking about her new ‘stripper heels’

March 2014: Khloe Kardashian cut off her interview on Sunrise over questions about her niece North West

March 2015: Samantha accused of racism after appearing to congratulate a woman for looking whiter than her twin

February 2016: Samantha is dropped as host of a UN refugee fundraiser over a cringe-worthy segment with Sex and The City star Kristin Davis

2017: She joined News Corp Australia lifestyle magazine Stellar as a columnist

June 2017: The Sunrise host ruffled feathers when she took aim at George Clooney’s wife Amal and her post-baby body

March 2018: She is criticised for claiming at-risk Aboriginal children were only being placed with family members of other Indigenous families. The comments ignited protests outside Sunrise’s Sydney studio

June 2020: Samantha sued for racial vilification over 2018 discussion which suggested a second stolen generation was needed to help Aboriginal children

December 2020: The Sunrise host marries millionaire businessman Richard Lavender on New Year’s Eve

February 2021: She launches her own podcast – Something To Talk About with Samantha Armytage

March 2021: She divides opinion after claiming women are treated better in the workplace when they are married with children in her column for Stellar magazine

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