ABC star Tony Armstrong slammed over ‘divisive’ Australia Day special: ‘Groomed for political activism’
A new ABC satire program which aimed to ‘trash’ Australia Day and ‘decolonise the news’ has sparked outrage among some viewers.
Always Was Tonight, which premiered on the national broadcaster on Wednesday night, vowed to ‘go where no other news show dares’ in the lead-up to Australia Day.
Hosted by Indigenous media personality Tony Armstrong, the ‘fast, funny and unflinching’ 30-minute special was filmed in front of a studio audience.
‘It’s an honour to be the first black face fronting a comedy show on the ABC since Chris Lilley,’ he began.
‘Tonight, we’re giving the colony a colonoscopy.
‘This show is black, it’s cracked and it wants its land back.’
Armstrong was joined by Brooke Blurton, an Indigenous Australian model and former Bachelorette star, who presented a segment called Past, Present and Emerging News.
‘I’m Australia’s second favourite Aboriginal newsreader whose first name is also Brooke,’ she said, referencing former Today show host Brooke Boney.
Hosted by Tony Armstrong, Always Was Tonight received mixed reviews
Bachelorette star Brooke Burton presented a segment called Past, Present and Emerging News
Blurton’s segment poked fun at billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart, Ikea, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, new One Nation recruit Barnaby Joyce, and independent federal MP Bob Katter.
It also took a swipe at rival networks Seven and Sky News.
In a segment called Captain Cooks, Armstrong seared steaks while suggesting Australia Day barbecues would be ‘ruined’ if the topic of ‘genocide’ was brought up.
In wrapping up the show, Armstrong promised it would return next year unless the ABC was ‘racist or something’.
‘I’m sure you’re expecting me to use this moment to do a big viral speech about what January 26 means and why you, the good white people watching, ought to feel real sad. But the problem is, you already know, you heard it before, you know it’s wrong.
‘Don’t be a dog.’
The program ended on a serious and ‘important’ note with Armstrong addressing the young age of criminal responsibility in Australia and a ‘crackdown on black kids’.
‘On an average night in Australia, 15 Indigenous kids under the age of 13 will be incarcerated,’ he told the audience.
The 30-minute special sparked a divided response from viewers. Pictured is Armstrong with a special guest, The Rainbow Serpent
Tony Armstrong said the program will return next year unless the ABC was ‘racist’
‘Our government thinks these kids are too young and vulnerable to use a TikTok account, but we’re comfortable shoving them in prison.’
‘I’d tell you more, but that might ruin the barbecue.’
Viewers were divided by the program, with conservative political commentator Andrew Bolt leading the backlash.
He accused the broadcaster of promoting tribalism that divided the country and had learned nothing from the Bondi terrorist attack.
‘Are we all now reduced to racial stereotypes?’ Bolt wrote.
‘Is this really what the ABC thinks we need after the Bondi horror? A show reducing people to racial stereotypes, dividing them into tribes, and rejecting a celebration of one of the most free and rich nations in history?.
‘It’s absolutely urgent now that we reject the identity politics that is dividing us into warring tribes. Bondi showed us where that leads.’
The program had some viewers switching channels.
Burton introduced herself as ‘Australia’s second favourite Aboriginal newsreader whose first name is also Brooke’
‘More Hate Speech from the ABC. And as per the ABC… just plain Woke Boredom. Why do we pay $1.2billion dollars for these pathetic losers?’ one fumed.
‘Tony Armstrong get over yourself,’ another wrote.
‘What a hypocrite – as a footballer you have had a great opportunity and made lots of money to live well so what’s your problem stop dividing our country ,what exactly do you grieve your great lifestyle? Hypocrite!’
A third wrote: ‘Has Tony Armstrong been groomed for political activism by the ABC?’
The backlash prompted a slew of fans to defend the program.
‘It’s a winner. Reminded me of Babakiueria. We need more Blaklash in this country,’ one commented.
Another wrote: ‘I really enjoyed the first episode. Humour mixed with serious messages, was really good. Good luck with the rest of the series.’
