Sunrise host David “Kochie” Koch was a recent panellist at the Women’s Safety Summit, which started on Monday, focusing on the important issue of domestic violence.
But not all were too happy with the presenter.
WATCH: David Koch and Natalie Barr receive COVID vaccine live on Sunrise
During the summit, Kochie, 65, emphasised the importance of educating men about respecting women during their formative years.
Kochie is the chairman of the Port Adelaide Football Club, which runs a program to teach Year 10 boys how to recognise disrespect towards women.
“I’m a firm believer that if you can start to influence right in those formative years, then you’re making real progress into the future,” the Sunrise host said.
“It’s all about grooming attitudes at that time and that’s where sport organisations can make significant breakthroughs.”
Many viewers, however, were less than impressed with Kochie’s involvement in the Summit, and made their thoughts known via Twitter.
A lot of the backlash stemmed from comments Kochie made back in 2013 that women should be “more discreet and modest” when it comes to breastfeeding in public.
“David Koch is speaking at the #WomensSafetySummit. The same man who told breastfeeding mothers to be “more discreet and modest” when feeding their babies in public. And doubled down on said comments. This is a sham. #EnoughIsEnough,” one user wrote.
The Tweets continued.
“Okay so is it really true David Koch is speaking at the #WomensSafetySummit? The same David Koch whose OWN Daughter had a big go at him when he condemned women who breastfed in public? THAT David Koch? If this is true then stop the world, truly, I wanna get off. MADNESS,” another added.
And the backlash didn’t stop there, with many people questioning the line-up to begin with.
“Let me get this straight: #WomensSafetySummit. No Grace Tame. No Rosie Batty. No Brittany Higgins. Yes Scott Morrison. Yes David Koch. WHAT THE ACTUAL F*CK,” a user penned.
WATCH: Samantha Armytage and Natalie Barr walk off set after Kochie joke (Article continues after video)
Another questioned: “David Koch is a tv presenter on a breakfast programme (I googled him because I didn’t know who he was) and he’s at the “round table” talking about violence against women. Why?”
“Men like David Koch taking the space of women, and being given a platform and a voice, at a summit FOR women, is a quintessential part of the problem,” a third added.
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