ABC presenter Tony Armstrong announces surprise career change

One of the ABC’s most popular personalities has revealed his surprising career change - and it’s all thanks to his Logies win last year.

Tony Armstrong has opened up on his acting ambitions, speaking candidly whilst promoting the ABC’s new series Great Australian Stuff.

The former Swan, now ABC News Breakfast’s sports presenter, said his Logie win last year paved the way for him to branch out in terms of his repertoire.

Armstrong said he wanted to get into acting, and that the Logie had put him on the map for a shift, but for now, he remains on the desk on weekday mornings at ABC News Breakfast.

The revelation came as part of publicity he is doing for Great Australian Stuff, his latest presenting role after hosting A Dog’s World last year.

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Armstrong won the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent in 2022, reflecting his viral new popularity as the charismatic host of the ABC’s otherwise relatively reserved news coverage.

“(A Logie) puts you in the mind of people who put shows together, for sure,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I still can’t believe I’ve got one. It wasn’t on the bingo card.

“It’s still weird to me, but I’m very humbled, and that was very much a vote for (ABC) News Breakfast, so my success is only as a result of the people who I’ve been lucky enough to work with.”

Armstrong won a Logie last year as the Graham Kennedy Most Popular New Talent. (Image/Josh Woning)

The revelations come as part of the first episode in a new series examining staples of Australian culture, including the marketing campaigns of iconic snacks such as Freddo Frogs and the Chiko Roll, as well as unsavoury facts about the origin of institutions like fish and chip shops and milk bars.

“I like all the weird and wacky, wonderful stuff that makes us, us, warts and all,” Armstrong said.

“This show is about telling the truth, but trying to keep it celebratory.

“Obviously, some shocking stuff has happened here, stuff that has directly impacted my people, but I didn’t want to be involved in something that was necessarily only talking about that kind of stuff.

“Because as important as it is, there are people who are better positioned to tell those stories.”

Armstrong is a proud Gamilaroi man, and has had to deal with no shortage of abuse in his rise to media prominence after being cut from Collingwood’s list in 2015.

In November last year, police were called over racist abuse sent to the TV personality, with Armstrong sharing a message sent to his work email address.

This shit has gotta stop. One thing is for certain though, this isn’t guna stop us speaking up or stepping up. Sent to my work email, no less. pic.twitter.com/WAm7sVrn4F

— Tony Armstrong (@Tonaaayy_) November 1, 2022

The national broadcaster issued a statement at the time from ABC News Director Justin Stevens, who has said the network is exploring all options to “ensure the wellbeing of our people”.

“This racist harassment is sickening. The ABC is taking a range of actions to support Tony Armstrong, including referring the matter to police,” Stevens said.

“We are currently conducting a bigger project on the abuse and harassment of ABC employees, including on social media, and examining all the options open to us to ensure the wellbeing of our people.

“Our journalists should not be attacked or subjected to abuse for doing their jobs.”

Armstrong was racially attacked in the wake of his comments surrounding the netball sponsorship storm that divided the country last week.

The popular ABC figure spoke out to condemn Australia’s richest woman, Gina Rinehart, in October last year over her apparent disappearing act following mining giant Hancock Prospecting’s decision to walk away from a $15 million deal supporting the Diamonds.

The 33-year-old returned to football last year, winning a premiership with Bellarine FNL club Barwon Heads. Picture: Alan Barber

Hancock Prospecting tore up the lucrative sponsorship contract after Indigenous player Donnell Wallam objected to wearing a Diamonds’ uniform with the Hancock logo during Australia’s series against England.

This was because of comments made by its founder Lang Hancock — Rinehart’s father — about “sterilising” Indigenous Australians in the 1980s.

Armstrong has now revealed the ugly backlash to the comments he made.

“This s*** has gotta stop,” he posted on Twitter alongside a screenshot of the email.

“One thing is for certain though, this isn’t guna stop us speaking up or stepping up. Sent to my work email, no less.”

Speaking on The Project at the time, Armstrong criticised sections of the Australian media for lauding Rinehart’s philanthropic work in Indigenous communities and failing to condemn her father’s comments.

“The pro-Gina PR push has gone into overdrive with article after article about Gina’s philanthropic niceness,” he said in a piece-to-camera.

“$300 million in royalty payments to Indigenous Australians over here, community funds making it rain over there, it’s just money, money, money for the good of blackfellas everywhere.

“Hancock is a company that last year announced profits of $7.3 billion. When pro-Gina media shouted that her actions speak louder than words, what they really mean is money talks. Gina throws money at things to win them over.”

Armstrong has branched out from sports news presenting to broader programming, hosting A Dog’s World last year.

Rinehart has not publicly condemned or distanced herself from her father’s comments about Indigenous Australians and Armstrong offered her an opportunity to come on The Project to discuss the matter.

“The fact remains that what her dad said while at the helm of Hancock Prospecting is hands down the worst thing anything could say about another race,” he continued.

“Let’s be clear, he was not a senile blow-in who got drunk and shot his mouth off. He was the mining pioneer who started the company. He was the one who handed the reins to Gina. He believed every one of those words.

“Us blackfellas are big on truth-telling. So in the spirit of reconciliation, Gina, what do you think about your dad’s comments? We just want to know what you reckon. Send us an email or come join us on the desk.

“Just let us know, Gina. As Australia’s richest person, your words and opinions matter.”

Armstrong, a proud Barranbinya man, finished by praising Wallam for her debut and how she’s handled herself throughout the ordeal.

“What a superstar,” he said.

“Let’s not forget the role Donnell Wallam’s played in the middle of all this. She’s an absolute champion. Eight from eight on the court last night and the winning goal. She’s a superstar, I love her, shout out to her.

“Full credit to the rest of the team for standing by her as well.”

Great Australian Stuff premieres Tue 11 Apr at 8pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.

Originally published as ABC presenter Tony Armstrong announces surprise career change