Comedian Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes has admitted that his hardline stance against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Victorian Labor government has cost him jobs.
The outspoken 55-year-old performer appeared on The Karl Stefanovic Show this week and told the host he has come to terms with mainstream media turning its back on him.
Both Hughesy and host Karl Stefanovic were mocked at the Logies television awards on Sunday night. Ceremony host Robert Irwin joked that a seat had been reserved "in the far-right corner" for former Today host Stefanovic, and suggested Hughesy's new Channel Ten show should be called "Seriously, Hughesy, We Have a Problem".
Addressing the criticism and loss of work, Hughesy stated that traditional broadcasting contracts are declining across the entertainment industry.
"Yeah it's got me a bit but I just don't care mate, honestly. Look, the money isn't there in mainstream media anyway," Hughesy said. "The money you used to get, or I used to get... media is struggling. Big tech has taken all the money out of traditional media, so those contracts were going to go anyway."
The comedian added that he was happy to turn his back on traditional media outlets for what he sees as a higher cause.
Industry support and media scrutiny
Stefanovic left Channel Nine's Today show earlier this year following a controversial interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson. During the broadcast, Hughesy revealed he receives quiet support from fellow entertainers.
"I get a lot of people in entertainment texting me saying well done, but doing it quietly because they don't want to, you know, upset the apple cart," Hughesy said.
Stefanovic agreed with Hughesy, reflecting on their shared experiences in the media spotlight.
"Just because we're taking a certain line, trying to do certain things for ourselves and for the people out there," Stefanovic said.
"That to me is indicative of a country that's kind of lost its way. People go, "you're crazy right wing" or whatever, mate, a lot of these opinions are just common sense, you know," Stefanovic added.
Criticism of federal housing policy
Hughesy, 55, has made a series of increasingly harsh comments about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian government in recent weeks. In June, he doubled down on his anger at Albanese over the growing Australian housing crisis.
The comedian lashed out at the Labor government over changes to negative gearing and the 50 per cent capital gains tax on Wednesday, continuing to share his anger in an interview on the Today show earlier this month.
"Guys, they lied to Australia and you cannot do that," Hughesy said.
"This has cost the whole country so much money already, the housing market has tanked, they've cost every Australian who owns a home probably 15 per cent of their housing value, you can't lie about that Jim and Albo, you can't do that," he said, referencing Treasurer Jim Chalmers and the Prime Minister.
Hughesy called the Albanese government an "absolute disgrace" and warned that their decision will cause the economy to suffer.
"The people in charge of our country are idiots, they treat our money like they found it in a sack by the river and they've got to spend it before someone finds out," he said.
"The Federal Government is $1trillion in debt, I get on planes and I walk past them, and they're all in business class because they couldn't care less about being $1trillion in debt... it's not their money... what do they care?" Hughesy continued.
He slammed the government for spending taxpayer money "like drunken sailors", arguing that official spending directly harms working Australians.
"It actually affects everyone because hardworking people have to earn that money and you take half off them and blow it on absolute rubbish, it's annoying," he said. "We are sick of them stealing our money and especially for first homebuyers."
Hughesy also raised concerns about non-citizen buyers participating in assistance initiatives aimed at first homebuyers.
"I heard Albo on the radio yesterday and he said they don't have to be citizens to take advantage of the first homebuyers scheme, because some countries don't allow dual citizenship, so basically there are over 50,000 people bidding against Australians at auctions, who don't want to give up citizenship of their home country and he has given them our money to buy houses in Australia," Hughesy said.
"I am happy for you to stay here, or if you want to go home you can go home, but you are not getting our money to buy houses here... that's insane," he added.
Attacks on Victorian Labor leadership
Beyond federal matters, Hughesy spoke out last month about new Victorian Premier Ben Carroll, calling Carroll's first address as leader "honest" but "chilling". Premier Carroll assumed leadership of the Victorian Labor government following recent changes in state party leadership.
The comedian shared a video reel to Facebook addressing the change in Labor leadership as well as Carroll's speech focused on government integrity.
Hughesy stated that Carroll's criticism of predecessors Jacinta Allan and Dan Andrews was harrowing, adding that he hopes Carroll loses the state election this year.
"I have never seen an incoming leader whack their predecessors harder than Ben Carroll gave it to Jacinta Allan and Dan Andrews today," Hughesy said in the clip.
"This is what he said. He said, "In the government I lead, integrity will not be optional. I'm not Dan Andrews. I'm not Jacinta Allan." They're the words he used," Hughesy quoted.
"He's been there the whole time. The whole 12 years. He's watched every single move they've made. And what's the first thing he says?" Hughesy asked viewers.
"'In the government I lead, integrity will not be optional.' Think about that. Think about the missing billions of dollars," Hughesy continued. "The man who watched it all said in the government he leads, integrity will not be optional. I hope he's right."
In the video caption, Hughesy added that "not enough is being made" of what Carroll said in his "chilling" first address to the state.
