Karl Stefanovic explodes live on air as he is GHOSTED by a political guest: What happened behind the scenes as Coalition tensions explode
Karl Stefanovic has unleashed after Liberal deputy leader Ted O'Brien pulled out of his Today Show appearance 20 minutes before the segment went live because he allegedly didn't want to come face-to-face with a Nationals senator.
The abrupt cancellation came a day after Nationals leader David Littleproud announced the conservative party would be walking away from their 80-year Coalition partnership with the Liberals, following disagreements over policies.
Stefanovic revealed to viewers that O'Brien initially agreed to the interview but backed out upon learning he’d be appearing alongside Nationals Senator Matt Canavan.
'Divorce proceedings are underway this morning, and there are plenty of dramas everywhere, even here on this show,' he said.
'So get this. We asked Deputy Liberal Leader Ted O'Brien on the show last night, and he agreed this morning, out of courtesy.
'We told him Matt Canavan was coming on too. All seemed OK.
'And then 20 minutes ago, his team rang, saying he won't come on with Canavan. I mean, you can't make it up.
'It's like MAFS: Canberra edition.'
Karl Stefanovic has unleashed after Liberal deputy leader Ted O'Brien pulled out of his Today Show appearance 20 minutes before the segment went live
Stefanovic revealed to viewers that O'Brien initially agreed to the interview but backed out upon learning he’d be appearing alongside Nationals Senator Matt Canavan (pictured)
The interview went ahead without O'Brien, who later rejected the suggestion he had pulled out because Canavan was also appearing.
He told ABC Radio his team had been told the segment was 'over' and that he was just one of multiple political figures asked.
'There was no cancellation and … I can’t think of any sort of interview I’ve ever canceled,' he said.
'But again … If they would like to get me on tomorrow – great, let’s do that.'
O'Brien insisted he and Canavan were both 'mates'.
'Matt and I spoke a few days ago, right. We’re mates, we’re both from Queensland, we’ve always been friends,' he said.
'And notwithstanding the split in the Coalition, I’ve got no reason to think we won’t be.'
Canavan took a similar line when questioned by Stefanovic whether there was any bad blood between them.
Liberal Party deputy leader Ted O'Brien (pictured with newly-elected party leader Sussan Ley) made the last-minute decision not to appear on Karl Stefanovic's Today Show
'I don't know, I definitely don't have a problem with Ted or anybody in the Parliament,' Canavan responded.
'I mean, my number one focus is always about what I can do for people.'
He said describing the split as a 'divorce' is 'very dramatic'.
'This is simply a business arrangement between two political parties,' he says.
Daily Mail Australia understands that O'Brien had been scheduled to appear on Today at 6.45am, his first media engagement of the day before an appearance at 7.10am on Sky.
There followed five other media engagements.
Littleproud claimed the two parties split because of policy differences, such as the Nationals' support for nuclear power and supermarket divestiture powers.
'Our party room has got to a position where we will not be re-entering a Coalition agreement with the Liberal Party after this election,' he said.
'What we have got to a position is that the National Party will sit alone on a principle basis.'
Later on Tuesday afternoon, Ley fronted media to say she found the decision 'disappointing'.
'As Liberals, we respect their decision and commit to continue working collaboratively with them,' Ley said.
'The Liberal Party’s door remains open to The Nationals’ should they wish to rejoin the Coalition before the next election.'
