Tony Armstrong fined over $1000 after copping six parking fines in six weeks

Australian TV star Tony Armstrong failed to show up to a court date in Melbourne where he was prosecuted in his absence.

Australian TV star Tony Armstrong has been fined more than $1000 for repeatedly failing to pay for parking during his last months at ABC.

Armstrong’s string of six parking fines this year were revealed publicly in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Armstrong, who did not attend the hearing, was prosecuted in his absence over the fines.

It’s not known whether Armstrong was actually aware of the court proceeding.

According to Court documents obtained by Herald Sun, Armstrong was caught by parking inspectors on June 18.

Tony Armstrong has been prosecuted over a series of unpaid parking tickets. Picture: ABC

He was then caught out again on June 24, the night after the Logies where he was up for an award. Armstrong was on News Breakfast as inspectors were writing him up a ticket.

A week later on July 2, the star parked in a loading zone in the CBD and racked up a third ticket, with a fourth then following on July 26 and a fifth on August 6.

His final ticket of the bunch then came after he was caught illegally parking on Russell Street on August 15.

Armstrong’s repeated failure to pay his $687 in infringements prompted Melbourne City Council to send the case to court, where a magistrate slugged him with a further $329.50 in costs and late fees, without recording convictions.

ABC presenter Tony Armstrong has address the Eddie Betts racism saga. Picture: Supplied/ABC.

In total, Armstrong will have to fork out more than $1016.50 to Fines Victoria.

The former AFL star has become a beloved TV presenter in the last few years, winning Logie awards in both 2022 and 2023, as well as being nominated for a Gold Logie in 2024.

In October last year, Armstrong made his last appearance as a sports presenter on ABC News Breakfast, describing his time on the program as a “joy ride” during his farewell.

“News Breakfast has given me everything, really,” he said while farewelling his colleagues on his final show.

“It’s more than just the people out here,” he continued. “We’ve got a bunch of producers and everyone, directors, people on autocue, who are doing the work of four or five people. And everyone does it so well.

“The help that I got over and over and over again from everyone was amazing and still is to this day. I’m going miss everyone. I’m going miss you all.”