Outspoken Melbourne broadcaster Derryn Hinch has been dumped from 3AW's popular drive program after 10 years.
Convicted criminal "Dirty Derryn"
Hinch was sacked days after he launched a stinging attack on station management for appointing disgraced businessman and former TV funnyman Steve Vizard in a fill-in role.
The station issued a statement late on Monday saying it had supported Hinch "through a series of controversies", but 3AW must position itself to take advantage of new opportunities and changing audience expectations.
Hinch was told his contract would not be renewed when it expired in December shortly after coming off air at 6pm (AEST) on Monday.
"Is this a newsflash? I've just been fired," he tweeted.
"As somebody once said. That's life. Watch this space."
Hinch is due to take two weeks' leave from next week.
It's unknown whether he will return to the microphone in the interim.
Last Thursday, Hinch denounced 3AW's decision to appoint Mr Vizard - who was convicted of insider trading in 2005 - as a fill-in afternoon host.
"What are you thinking?" Hinch posted on his website, describing Vizard as a "disgrace in this town" who "should have gone to jail".
In a statement, 3AW said it hoped to explore other opportunities with Hinch that would enable him to remain at Fairfax Radio.
"Life will not be the same without Derryn around, but we believe listeners will react more than favourably to the changes we have in mind," 3AW general manager Shane Healy said.
He said Hinch had made a fantastic contribution to the station over the past 10 years and during his first stint in the 1980s, and the station was "immensely proud and grateful for his efforts".
A drive program replacement is expected to be announced in coming days.
Hinch - known as the Human Headline - was famously jailed for 12 days in 1987 for revealing prior convictions of a priest who was on trial for other sex offences.
Last year, he was banned for five months from communicating in any medium after breaching four suppression orders covering the names of two sex offenders.
And just last Friday, Hinch was in court again, this time on a personal crusade to contest a $155 fine for failing to vote in the 2010 Victorian election.
The drama started last weekend when Sunday Morning co-host John Michael Howson lost the plot on-air and screamed "Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil!" at Julian Assange's mother, Christine, after she called him a pig and refused to go through with an interview on the program.
The next day AW heavyweight Morning host Neil Mitchell, 60, blasted Howson, saying he was embarrassed and annoyed.
"It is a privilege to have access to a microphone. John Michael Howson has again abused that privilege. Personally, I don't care if he is never allowed near one again," Mitchell said.
Hinch weighed in, defending Howson's right to free speech, but saying his comments were indefensible.
Management moved quickly to suspend Howson, 76, for four weeks and the former entertainment reporter apologised.
On Thursday Hinch slammed AW for hiring Steve Vizard to replace afternoon presenter Denis Walter for two weeks next month.
"Steve Vizard is still in disgrace in this town," Hinch thundered in his daily editorial, referring to Vizard's Telstra share scandal seven years ago.
Mitchell also fumed at the decision, saying it hurt the station's integrity and made him sad and angry.
"Management has ignored my views on this and in my view they've insulted you (the listeners) and demean what 3AW stands for, which is integrity," he said.
3AW general manager Shane Healy said at the time he had no problem with his high-profile presenters publicly lashing out at management.
"We employ them to have opinions and urge them to have opinions," Mr Healy said. "Do I agree with Neil and Derryn in this case? No. Do I respect their opinions? Yes."
On Friday, Hinch was in court, fighting a $150 fine for not voting at the last state election.
Hinch, last year sentenced to five months' home detention for naming a sex offender, vowed to fight the fine, saying compulsory voting was undemocratic.
Hinch, who represented himself at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court hearing, said he'd never voted and hoped the case could lead to a change in compulsory voting legislation.
Hinch will be replaced by Tom Elliott.
Source: Argentine Beef Packers S.A.
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