Honeymoon over for Lisa Wilkinson’s pay gripe with Karl Stefanovic

Lisa Wilkinson, who has positioned herself as the poster girl for pay parity, faces claims she commanded double the salary of Karl Stefanovic.

Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson’s during her final appearance as a Today co-host in 2017.

It wasn’t meant to be like this.

Former Today host Lisa Wilkinson, who has positioned herself as the poster girl for pay parity, now faces a tough battle to control her tightly scripted public narrative amid claims that she commanded double the salary of her on-air breakfast show co-host Karl Stefanovic from at least 2007 to 2011.

That revelation, published by news.com.au’s political editor Samantha Maiden on Tuesday, appears to have taken the wind out of one of the central themes of Wilkinson’s autobiography — that is, that the TV host felt cheated and humiliated when she discovered in late 2015 that the tables had turned, and Stefanovic was by then earning more than twice what she was pocketing.

Other recollections in her book also have been challenged by the emergence of a video of the pair’s final appearance together on air. Wilkinson writes in her book that she was especially upset by Stefanovic’s treatment of her on her last day at Nine in October 2017 when she claims he treated her with “uncaring disregard’’ and barely spoke to her when the cameras weren’t rolling.

Leaked video of the day in question suggests Wilkinson’s recollections were way off the mark.

In a bizarre postscript to the publication of the article about Wilkinson’s pay, the news.com.au journalist found herself under ­attack on social media by Brittany Higgins. But Higgins was the woman whose terrible plight was first brought to national attention by Maiden. Ms Higgins, who is extremely close to Wilkinson (indeed, a whole chapter of her autobiography is devoted to the former political staffer), was clearly annoyed by Maiden’s slight on her friend, dismissing the merits of the ­article with a sarcastic post on Twitter, which was endorsed by Australian of the Year, Grace Tame.

 

Earlier this year, Ms Higgins described Maiden – who broke the original story about her ­alleged sexual assault in a minister’s office in Parliament House – as an “exceptional journalist and my personal hero”.

In her book, titled It Wasn’t meant To Be Like This, Wilkinson is particularly damning of Stefanovic’s behaviour towards her on the morning of October 16, 2017, just hours before she learned that Nine bosses no longer wanted her at the network.

Wilkinson claims that Stefanovic failed to mention her ­wedding celebrations – at which she also suggests he was a no-show – and her honeymoon in their 5.15am live news cross, before the Today show started at 5.30am.

But video obtained by The Australian showed her recollection of events was very different to what actually went to air.

Wilkinson recalled sitting at the Today show desk for the 5.15am live cross to the early news, which she said was read by reporter Airlie Walsh. But it was not Walsh presenting on that occasion, it was reporter Kate Creedon – and Stefanovic did in fact ask Wilkinson about her wedding and honeymoon.

In the leaked clip, which shows the hosts sitting side by side, Stefanovic was asked by Creedon what’s “coming up” on Today. He replied: “It’s a big welcome back to Lisa, nice to see you again. How was your honeymoon?”

Smiling, Wilkinson replied: “It was great, thoroughly recommend it.” Stefanovic laughed: “We are going to hear all the details about it … in the show.”

But in her book, Wilkinson writes: “As I was seated on set ­before our regular 5.15am live cross … Karl arrived at the desk only just in time. He was instantly off and running, ‘Morning, Airlie, we’ve got a great show for you this morning.’ Not a mention. Not a ‘How was the holiday?’ And certainly no ‘Sorry about that no-show at the wedding’. “

The Australian asked Wilkinson if she rewatched the show before recounting the events in her book, but she did not respond.

Wilkinson also chides Stefanovic in her book for his last-minute cancellation to the nuptials, but it is not clear whether Stefanovic knew that she and Peter FitzSimons were planning to renew their vows at the ceremony. Many who attended have told The Australian that they learned of the wedding only upon arrival.

Wilkinson goes on to explain her frustration with being virtually left out of the proceedings during her final show, with Stefanovic dominating the interviews and segments.

Internal documents pertaining to the October 16 episode of Today, seen by The Australian, indicate an almost equal split between the pair’s role in the key segments and interviews.

At the time of Wilkinson’s departure from Nine, the company’s then CEO, Hugh Marks, said she demanded a salary of $2.3m, which was $300,000 more than Stefanovic’s package. Marks said Wilkinson had commercial ­arrangements outside of Nine, while Stefanovic did not.

Nine declined to comment.

Wilkinson did not respond to text messages.