Ten network in turmoil as Peter van Onselen refuses to interact on air with Tegan George supporter

The ongoing tensions surrounding reporter Tegan George’s lawsuit against network Ten have reached new heights with high-profile political editor Peter van Onselen refusing to interact on air with some of her supporters.

Mr Van Onselen, who is at the centre of George’s lawsuit after she claimed he bullied her during her time in the Canberra press gallery, refused to do live crosses on budget night to both Narelda Jacobs in Sydney and Lachlan Kennedy in the Perth studio.

Both Ms Jacobs and Mr Kennedy are vocal supporters of Ms George and made public donations to the ‘fighting’ fund set up to help in her legal battle against her bosses at the network.

Peter van Onselen refused to deliver live crosses to two of Ten’s highest profile journalists after they publicly supported Tegan George

Narelda Jacobs has been a vocal supporter of Tegan George and her legal battle with Ten

Other Ten employees are also believed to have contributed to the fund but chose to remain anonymous. 

Internal sources claim Mr van Onselen, Ten’s polarising but high-profile political editor, steadfastly refused to cross to either presenter during his coverage of the federal budget on March 29.

However he did deliver crosses to other states.

The snub allegedly sent shockwaves through the Ten newsroom with bosses concerned the rift could cause major disruptions to their coverage of the looming federal election.

‘(The) network doesn’t know what to do because there’s an election coming and he’s our political editor and he refuses to interact on air with two of our presenters,’ one source told The Daily Mail Australia.

‘The newsroom is in full crisis mode because of it.’

It’s understood Mr van Onselen has indicated to the network he feels uncomfortable working with colleagues who have publicly sided with George over ‘unfounded’ allegations.

A Ten spokeswoman has been sought for comment.

Tegan George has named van Onselen – among others – in her bullying claim against Ten

Ten Perth presenter Lachlan Kennedy publicly donated money to Ms George’s legal fund

Mr Van Onselen is one of several senior employees named in Ms George’s lawsuit which claims the station failed to provide a safe working environment.

Ms George joined the station in 2011 and started the new role in 2019 but has been on leave since June 2021 after allegedly suffering ‘personal injury’ brought on by ‘stress to the point of incapacity’, the lawsuit alleged. 

Ms George’s fighting fund, which has also seen contributions from several other high-profile media and political personalities including Tracey Spicer and the ABC’s Sommer Tothill, now stands at just over $53,000.

More than half of all donors have chosen to remain anonymous.

However some have been very visible in their support, including Ms Jacobs, who made the move from Perth to Sydney in 2021 and has become one of the network’s biggest stars.

Ms Jacobs has risen to be one of Ten’s biggest stars and is considered by many as the future of the on-air team

Ms Spicer, who worked for Ten for 14 years before being unceremoniously sacked ‘via email’ back in 2006, has also been particularly vocal.

‘It’s incredibly difficult for one woman to stand up against a TV network. Scared the crap out of me when I did it back in 2006,’ she posted on Twitter soon after Ms George launched her legal action.

‘Again, without commenting on the particular allegations – that’s a matter for the court – Tegan George is courageous.’

Ms George’s fundraising page says the money raised will help her with legal costs, including paying for her legal team at Maurice Blackburn, as well as the barrister and court fees.

‘The fundraiser will also help to provide basic support for Tegan as she goes through the legal process, helping out with general necessities and support with medical treatment and psychological support,’ the page says.