Health Minister Mark Butler is the latest political figure to condemn the ABC over its Race Around the World segment featuring a violently graphic portrayal of mining magnate Gina Rinehart.
Speaking to News24 on Sunday night, Mr Butler described the widely criticised segment as “pretty revolting”, adding that it should never have been broadcast on Australian television.
“It’s pretty revolting and it’s not the sort of thing I think we should see on TV, whether it’s News24, a commercial television station or our public broadcaster, frankly,” Mr Butler told the program.
“I understand the ombudsman within the ABC is investigating it and that’s appropriate at an independent public broadcaster.
“But why do we have to see rubbish like this on our TVs – regardless of who it’s about?
“I have seen coverage of this episode, I understand the person responsible for it has apologised, but, at the end of the day, this sort of material shouldn’t be on our TVs.”
The four-minute video titled “A Very Relaxing Video”, was aired in a July 12 episode on the broadcaster’s program Race Around The World.
The segment featured a character described as a “Scottish forest warrior ninja” leading program contestant Kate Guinness through relaxation exercises and nature-based activities before ending with a violent reference to Ms Rinehart.
“Because when the revolution comes, will you hide under the bed? Or will you know exactly how to shove a stick right up Gina Rinehart’s butthole,” the film said.
“Stirring it around, mixing her guts up nice and smooth, making her into one big sausage roll to make something out of nothing.”
On Thursday, contestant Kate McGuinness shared a statement via the ABC saying it was not her intention to promote violence.
“The sense of humour featured in each of my films on the Race Around The World program is farcical,” McGuinness said.
“In no way was it my intention to promote violence.
“My writing is cartoonish and always satirical. Unfortunately, jokes do not land with everyone.
“Its purpose was never to be taken literally. I apologise to anyone I’ve offended.”
But Mrs Rinehart’s company, Hancock Prospecting, later informed the national broadcaster’s board it will take legal action over the episode that was still on its website on Friday.
“Hancock called upon the ABC to immediately remove the material from ABC platforms, publicly apologise to Mrs Rinehart and undertake a comprehensive investigation into how the material came to be commissioned, approved and published, together with full accountability for those responsible,” it said in a statement on Friday.
“One week has now elapsed. The ABC’s board and senior management have provided no substantive public response, nor any substantive response to Hancock or Mrs Rinehart, and have take no steps to remove the material from ABC platforms, despite widespread public condemnation and the serious risks its publication and continued publication pose to Mrs Rinehart.”
Hancock Prospecting, where Mrs Rinehart is executive chair, has given legal notice to ABC chair Kim Williams, deputy chair Lisa Caffery and managing director Hugh Marks, alleging the ABC breached multiple Australian criminal and civil laws by continuing to publish that segment.
Last week, WA Premier Roger Cook labelled the segment as “unacceptable” but he stopped short of backing calls for the taxpayer-funded broadcaster to apologise to Ms Rinehart.
Mr Cook said he hadn’t watched the program and wouldn’t comment on whether the public broadcaster should apologise but admitted it was not appropriate.
“I haven’t seen the footage in in relation to this particular issue, but I find the language confronting, and I think it’s unacceptable,” he said.
“I understand the ABC has responded to concerns, particularly from interests associated with Mrs Rinehart, and I’m sure they’ll undertake that work appropriately.”
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