Speculation regarding Georgie Gardner's future at Channel Nine has intensified following her absence from the Friday night news bulletin, which was reportedly due to her attending her son's graduation ceremony. This comes amid reports of an internal investigation into an alleged clash between Gardner and a junior staffer over a script, where Gardner expressed dissatisfaction with the news rundown and reportedly told the staffer to 'grow up'. Despite the media scrutiny, a source claims her absence was pre-planned and unrelated to the incident. Gardner, who earns $600,000 annually for her two days of work each week, has just one year left on her contract, leading to discussions about potential replacements. The network has declined to comment on the investigation, although it has expressed continued support for Gardner. Insiders noted a significant experience gap at Nine, raising concerns about the economic viability of high-salary positions for limited work.