Karl Stefanovic has asked viewers of his personal podcast for help as he questioned the success of a government scheme designed to help businesses struggling amid the fuel crisis.
The Today show host, who launched The Karl Stefanovic Show podcast in January, shared a clip on Instagram calling on viewers to get in touch if they had been successful in securing an Economic Resilience Program (ERP) loan.
The $1 billion scheme, opened on April 20, offers zero-interest loans to eligible businesses facing disruptions from global conflicts.
In the video, Stefanovic said: “I need your help again guys. Do you remember when the government launched that $1 billion Economic Resilience Program for anyone that might be affected by the high fuel costs or the supply chain disruptions?
“Has anyone received any of those loans?”
Stefanovic revealed a friend of his has approached two separate banks in a bid to secure a loan under the government scheme but has been rejected on both occasions.
“His bank manager advised all 10 people who submitted were rejected so I’m wondering if there is anyone out there who has had approval for one of those loans,” he continued.
“Anyone? Or is it crickets. If you have had a loan we want to hear from you, if you haven’t had a loan but you’ve put in an application I want to hear from you.
“Let us keep going on this bloody fuel crisis story, we are still here you know.”
The broadcaster was inundated with support as viewers praised Stefanovic for “calling out the government”.
“Love your hard work on this important matter Karl,” one person commented.
“Good work Karl. It’s great to see you calling out the government and there incompetence,” another wrote.
Someone else said: “I have a business but quite frankly, I wouldn’t even try. Why expose myself to more bureaucracy and red tape only to be told that I don’t qualify?”
“The amount of business owners I work with all who have tried have all been rejected go figure,” another said.
Stefanovic has increasingly shifted his focus to Australian politics since launching his podcast earlier this year.
When he announced the new project, he vowed to “unleash his inner beast” through “unfiltered and uncensored” conversations.
The podcast has received more than 7.9 million listeners and 49.5 millions views across YouTube and Spotify in its first three months.
It comes after Stefanovic dished out at a major snub to employer Nine as he prioritises his podcast over the Today show.
Last week, Stefanovic broadcasted exclusive vision of an attempted home invasion by two teenagers sent in by a Queensland viewer.
He went on to discuss youth crime and punishment across the country on the podcast.
Network insiders have claimed this proves Stefanovic’s podcast is directly competing against Nine for news stories, online viewers and digital revenue, as reported by The Australian’s Media Diary.