More than 1,000 journalists and staff at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation staged a 24 hour strike after rejecting a proposed 10 per cent pay rise over three years. While many employees joined rallies in Sydney and Melbourne, several high profile and highly paid contractors, including Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb, did not appear on picket lines and continued working during the walkout.

The broadcaster filled gaps in programming with content from the British Broadcasting Corporation as audiences fell and ratings declined. Managing director Hugh Marks criticised the timing of the strike amid major global events and described the action as harmful to audiences, prompting backlash from staff and union representatives who called his remarks offensive.

At the same time, Sales and Crabb appealed for financial support for their long running independent podcast, saying rising production costs and busy schedules had limited their ability to fund it through live shows and merchandise. They are seeking additional advertising and hosting paid retreat events to help cover expenses while continuing their roles at the public broadcaster.