David Koch was told of a review into organ donation programs seven days before he dramatically quit his position as chairman of a government advisory council on live television.

The Sunrise co-host used his show to resign as chairman of the Organ and Tissue Authority's advisory council while firing an extraordinary parting shot at Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash, telling her to "get a backbone".

"Fiona Nash, get a backbone. You didn't even ring me as chairman of your advisory council to get my view or even tell me an inquiry was coming," Mr Koch told viewers on Wednesday morning.

But a spokesman for Senator Nash said Mr Koch had been advised of the review on May 20 by federal Health Department deputy secretary Mark Cormack.