Kochie. The Kochmeister. K-Dog. He's passionate about three things: Footy, finance and organ donation in Australia. And this morning on Sunrise, he cracked it.
The Sunrise host was very upset about a 7News report on organ donation last night.
The report questioned the value of the $250 million that has been spent by the Organ and Tissue Authority (OTA) in recent years, trying to boost Australia's organ donation rate. Kochie, in his capacity as chair of the Organ Advisory Council, was not at all happy.
"Unfortunately, last night Channel Seven's News and Today Tonight ran a segment critical of the reform of Australia's organ and tissue donation system, which really annoyed me," he told the audience.
"Regular viewers know Sunrise was instrumental in starting the reforms and the establishment of the Organ and Tissue Authority of which I'm chairman of their advisory council. So let's look at the claims from last night's segment."
Kochie then went on to take down some of the report's claims, which he says were made by three men belonging to a lobby group that wants to take over the organ donation system.
"They all are members of a rich lobby group called Sharelife who basically want to take control of the reforms and the money. I should know, because I used to be one of them, until I left because I was sick of them criticising, rather than doing," Kochie said.
Kochie then turned his attention to assistant health minister Fiona Nash.
"We did ask the assistant health minister, Fiona Nash on to the program this morning to answer some of my questions but she declined," Kochie said.
"Because the most disappointing thing for me is that the politician in charge of donations, her, Fiona Nash has not supported the authority's program and caved into this rich lobby group and started yet another expensive inquiry into it. It's a disgrace."
Then Kochie quit.
"You didn't even ring me as chairman of your advisory council to get my view or even tell me an inquiry was coming. Obviously I've got no choice but to resign from the position and actively counter the trip dished out by a whole bunch of rich lobbyists that just talk and do nothing."
"We at Sunrise will continue to support the reforms which save lives and now, I won't have to be as diplomatic."
So. Much. Shade.
The Organ and Tissue Authority yesterday welcomed a review into the system.
"The review presents an opportunity to identify how the reform is progressing and opportunities for improvement," the OTA said in a statement.
"From a low base, Australia's donation rate has increased significantly since 2009 when the DonateLife Network was established. For the period 2009-2014, Australia's number of deceased organ donors has increased by 53% and the number of transplant recipients increased by 38%. However, there is more to be done and the OTA will work with the review team to identify where further improvements can be made in order to save more lives through transplantation."
"The progress to date is due to the intensive efforts of the national DonateLife Network, state and territory governments, colleagues in the donation and transplantation sectors, peak bodies and community organisations in partnership with the Organ and Tissue Authority."
In a statement on Wednesday, senator Nash thanked Kochie for his service.
"Mr Koch's unexpected resignation is a loss to the organisation."
"The review is seeking to establish if there is anything else we can do to improve organ donation rates in Australia and save lives."
"It is always unfortunate to lose people of Mr Koch's calibre from such a good cause. I acknowledge the great contribution Mr Koch has made to support increased rates of organ donation in Australia and would welcome his input into the review."