ABC presenter Tony Armstrong has been recalled by the broadcaster after his new venture was unveiled.
The Australian TV star, 34, announced last week that he would be leaving his role on ABC News Breakfast after three years.
He has now become the voice of NRMA Insurance adverts, which he voices but does not appear in, and the adverts have been on TV since July.
ABC’s Media Watch program discussed his new gig on Monday, when host Janine Perrett said it was “astonishing” Armstrong had failed to gain approval from the broadcaster before taking on his new role.
“It’s a shame that this undeclared work comes at the expense of the integrity of the ABC, which we talk about in its final week on News Breakfast,” Perrett said.
She added, “Tony is arguably one of ABC’s biggest stars.”
‘He’s not just sitting on the breakfast sofa on TV, he’s appeared on a new evening sports show, he’s one of many appearing in ABC News promos and is the face of a new five-part series.
“So we were stunned when we got confirmation that Tony was also selling an insurance company.”
ABC presenter Tony Armstrong has been recalled by the broadcaster after his new venture was unveiled
ABC’s editorial policy states that outside work by a high-profile presenter is not prohibited but is considered ‘very high risk’.
ABC told Media Watch that the voiceover was done without the voiceover’s knowledge and was due to a “misunderstanding with Tony’s outside representation.”
‘They have been provided with a copy of the external working guidelines and have been reminded that all ABC employees must comply with these. Tony is a highly valued employee and has the full support of the ABC,” the broadcaster said.
A bewildered Perrett replied: “A misunderstanding?”
“How an ABC reporter can cover a commercial for one of Australia’s biggest brands and not think this is a conflict is beyond us.”
“If this isn’t a violation of the remote work guidelines, which state that you must seek approval from the top, we don’t know what is.”
Media Watch said Armstrong did not respond to its request for comment.
ABC’s Media Watch program discussed his new gig on Monday, when presenter Janine Perrett said it was ‘astonishing’ Armstrong had failed to get approval from the broadcaster before taking on his new role
Armstrong announced last week that he is leaving his position at ABC News Breakfast after three years.
He revealed that his last show will be on October 4, but shared his hope that he can return as a guest in a heartfelt statement.
“I’ve been pretty nervous about doing this,” Tony confirmed.
‘I stopped working at Nieuws Brekkie and my last day is October 4.
“I just want to thank everyone – all of you, my colleagues, everyone behind the camera, all the producers, all the people who are also watching and coming out on the street and saying G’day and all that kind of stuff,” he continued.
“Um, yeah, it’s been a whirlwind of three and a few years, a lot has happened, it feels like I’ve been on some sort of rocket ship, but the support I’ve received from News Brekkie and the news in general has been great.
‘Thank you so much, I’m going to miss the couch – I’m not going to miss the alarm clock, but I’m going to miss the couch – I had so much fun.’
ABC’s editorial policy states that outside work by a high-profile presenter is not prohibited but is considered ‘very high risk’