BRISBANE: Australia’s longest serving weather presenter has been sacked for showing “gross disrespect” to the memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Jenny Woodward was shown the door by Australian Broadcasting Corporation chair Ita Buttrose after the ABC head honcho was reportedly shocked to see the veteran journalist present the ABC Brisbane 7pm news weather on Friday night dressed in a multi-coloured blouse and leprechaun-green jacket (at top).

“I had made it very, very clear in a written edict to all ABC news staff – both those sent across to the United Kingdom and the few who have remained behind here – that ‘mourning’ black attire was mandatory at this very sad time for us all,” Ms Buttrose said in a statement.

“I made it very clear that this was the only acceptable attire as we show proper and unquestioning respect to, and love for, our glorious long-serving liege lady and mistress, the incomparable Queen Elizabeth II, who by the grace of God was also Queen of Australia and its states, Queen regnant of 15 sovereign states, our head of state and head of the Commonwealth.

“I appreciate Mrs Woodward was up in Toowoomba for that city’s carnival of flowers and maybe got carried away with the springtime colour of that event but what she wore was inexcusable. She has shown gross disrespect for Australia’s monarchy.

“All other ABC news presenters were happy to obey sensible British protocols decreed by old men in multi-coloured jackets and very tall hats made of feathers and dress in black for the traditional mourning period, no matter how long that will last. She knew the rules and that, sadly, is the end of the matter.”

Woodward was not available for comment at this edition of The Bug was finalised for uploading but a station colleague at the ABC’s South Bank studios in Brisbane told us: “Of course Jenny’s upset but she told me: ‘At least I won’t be forced to wear those fucking high heels ever again. I’m an old lady, for fuck’s sake!’.”

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SYDNEY: Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison has scoffed at suggestions he no longer follows his local footie team with the same fervour he displayed when he was the nation’s leader.

“It’s true that my increased workload since the election in looking after the good citizens of my electorate of Cook and seeking extra paid work to truly honour my Lord and Master have kept me incredibly busy but it’s an absolute nonsense to say I’ve lost interest in the Cronulla Swordfish,” he told The Bug this morning.

“I think they can go all the way this year,” Mr Morrison said.