Georgie Gardner breaks cover after absence from her night news bulletin amid news of an off-screen 'bust-up' - as rumours swirl about her 'replacement'

Channel Nine veteran Georgie Gardner cut a low-key figure on Saturday when she was seen walking her dog outside her home in the ritzy Sydney suburb of Mosman.

The long-time presenter, 54, has made headlines over her alleged clash with a junior staffer , and insiders have been speculating about her future at the network.

Georgie was also absent from her usual Friday night news bulletin to attend her son's graduation, and she was seen out with her husband Tim Baker on a dog walk in the park the following morning.

She looked effortlessly stylish as she rocked a monochrome look in a loose-fitting grey jumper paired with black pants and mismatched black and white shoes.

She accessorised her ensemble with orange Vieux sunglasses and wore a black handbag slung over her shoulder.

The Perth-born journalist wore her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail and highlighted her natural beauty by going makeup-free for the outing.

Gardner looked engrossed in conversation with her husband Tim as she enjoyed a sunny day out in the affluent Sydney area.

It follows reports that Gardner only has one year left on her Nine contract, which sees her earn $600,000 per year for two days a week of work, leading insiders to speculate about potential replacements.

The Nine News Sydney presenter reads the news every Friday and Saturday night for the network, but was missing from her post on Friday to attend her son's graduation.

'Nine's in trouble. There's a massive experience gap between household names, like Georgie Gardner and Karl Stefanovic , and day-to-day reporters like Kate Creedon and Gabriella Boyle,' an insider told The Daily Telegraph .

'Some of these people are only working two days a week for $600,000. They are working two hours a week. Economically, that doesn't work.

'The aim is going to be to get good people to do more. That's what the future will be.'

They claimed there are heaps of eager journalists, such as 60 Minutes reporter Amelia Adams, who are keen to take on a Nine News role should anyone step down.

'Amelia is well liked and incredibly good at her job,' they added.

Today Extra co-host Sylvia Jeffreys and Weekend Today's Sophie Walsh are other names that have also been suggested by insiders.

It is not however suggested that any speculation about Gardner's future at the network is linked to her alleged clash with the junior producer.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Nine for comment.

Elsewhere on Friday night, Gardner was absent from her usual newsreading slot to attend her son's high school graduation.

She was instead replaced by Mark Burrows but will return to report the news on Saturday evening.

It follows reports of an alleged fiery in-studio clash between Gardner and a junior female producer emerged last month.

The star newsreader allegedly blew up at the junior colleague over the Saturday night news bulletin on August 31.

A TV source told Daily Mail Australia the alleged incident was sparked over the way Gardner's scripts had been prepared prior to going on air.

'Georgie turned up in a terrible mood. She didn't think the rundown was satisfactory or the way the intros (to news stories) were written - and basically said it was s**t. The mood was tense, she insisted on rewriting intros herself.' they said.

'The junior producer (who Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to name) said she wasn't finished with them yet, prompting Georgie to walk behind her and snap at her to ''grow up''.'

According to the source, the heated argument continued into the studio as the scripts were loaded into the teleprompter.

At least part of the exchange was allegedly recorded and handed over to management for an internal inquiry following an official complaint.

Gardner disappeared from her regular weekend newsreading duties for two weeks following the alleged altercation.

However, she was reportedly on scheduled leave and returned to work last Friday evening.

Nine has refused to publicly comment on the complaint made against Gardner.

However, the network's director of news and current affairs, Fiona Dear, said in a statement: 'Georgie Gardner is a highly regarded longstanding member of our Nine News team. We offer no further comment.'

It is not suggested that Gardner engaged in any improper conduct, only that a complaint has been made and an investigation is taking place.