Karl Stefanovic clears the air after clash with Steve Price over ‘racist’ comments

Karl Stefanovic has cleared the air with Steve Price after he criticised the radio host over “racist” comments he made about the Uluru climbing ban.

Karl Stefanovic has assured Steve Price he doesn’t think he is a racist, after the pair appeared to clash last week over whether or not Uluru should be open for tourists to climb.

Stefanovic appeared on Price’s 2GB radio show for the first time last Monday and criticised the host over comments he had made about the Uluru climbing ban on the Today Show.

The segment, which saw Price and Senator Pauline Hanson discussing the decision to close Uluru received an emormous amount of backlash and was criticised as “racist” and “unbalanced”. The segment saw Price and Senator Hanson agree that tourists should be allowed to climb Uluru, with Price suggesting it could be “positive” for the local indigenous population if it was “well managed”.

Stefanovic later shared his views with Price, telling the radio host there was no reason people should be climbing Uluru.

Karl criticised Price for his views on the Uluru climbing ban last week. Picture: 2GB

“They should not be climbing the rock, come on Steve, why do you need to climb it?” Stefanovic said.

He then poked fun at the backlash Price was experiencing, jokingly telling him: “I think you’re a disgrace Steve Price for your comments this morning, you’re racist.”

But the ex-Today host has now cleared the air with Price on his radio show this morning.

“I know you don’t really think I’m a racist, right?” Price asked Stefanovic.

Stefanovic agreed that it was true he didn’t think he was a racist, but added he did have some “unusual standpoints on certain issues that veer towards that side of the equation”.

“But I don’t think, generally speaking, you’re a racist,” he said.

The segment was blasted as 'racist' for not having any indigenous people on the panel. Picture: Today Show/Channel 9

Price’s show has moved into a new 12-3pm timeslot on 2GB and Stefanovic will be a regular guest on the show every Monday.

After clearing up last week’s argument about Uluru, the pair went on to blast the Sydney CBD smoking ban being considered by the North Sydney Council.

Tonight the council will vote on whether to implement the ban, which would make smoking in the CBD illegal.

The pair seemed to agree that the ban was “ridiculous”, with Stefanovic slamming it as a “PR stunt” by the council.

“Smokers already feel like they are ostracised, like they are some kind of animal people hate,” he said.

“It’s not illegal and if they do it respectfully from a respectful distance then I don’t see any reason for a ban and I don’t see how you can ban something that’s not illegal.”

Price branded tonight’s vote as “useless”, claiming even if the ban was introduced there are no plans in place to enforce it.

China's Sun Yang, centre, holds up his gold medal as silver medallist Australia's Mack Horton, left, stands away from the podium. Picture: Mark Schiefelbein/AP

The last topic up for discussion was Australian swimmer Mack Horton’s refusal to stand on the podium with rival and convicted drug cheat Sun Yang at the world swimming championships on Sunday night.

Sun served a three-month doping suspension in 2014 and is currently facing charges of smashing vials of his blood with a hammer during a clash last year with drug testers.

Horton’s refusal to stand alongside Sun or shake his hand divided opinions but Stefanovic praised the Aussie swimmer for standing up for himself.

He slammed Sun as “arrogant” and “up himself” and said he understood the anger Horton must be feeling at having to compete against him.

“Then he gets off by saying that Mack is having a go at China. Well, I’m sorry Sun, but you’re the one who’s having a go at China. You think it’s a great reflection on Chinese society that you took drugs,” Stefanovic said.

“This guy is way out of control and I can understand Mark’s frustration at not being able to swim in a race that’s clean.”