Lead

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has threatened the ABC with legal action over an episode of the program Race Around the World that included a fictional scenario depicting a violent attack on her. Her company, Hancock Prospecting, has demanded the removal of the episode and a public apology, and has placed the ABC's chair, deputy chair, and managing director on notice over alleged breaches of Australian law.

The episode, which aired on July 12, featured contestant Kate McGuinness portraying a scenario that involved a violent attack on Mrs Rinehart. The segment, titled A Very Relaxing Video, concluded with McGuinness making crude comments about Rinehart, including a reference to mixing her guts into a sausage roll.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from ABC Australia and The Guardian — World broadly aligns on the central facts: Rinehart's legal threat, the content of the episode, and the response from Hancock Prospecting. Both outlets note that Hancock Prospecting wrote to the ABC Board on July 23, requesting the immediate removal of the material from all ABC platforms, a public apology to Rinehart, and a comprehensive investigation into how the segment was commissioned, approved, and published.

The Guardian — World, citing a statement from Hancock, reported that a week after the letter, the ABC Board and senior management had provided "no substantive public response" to the company or to Mrs Rinehart. Both outlets reported that Hancock subsequently sent legal letters to ABC Chair Kim Williams, Deputy Chair Lisa Caffery, and Managing Director Hugh Marks, formally placing them on notice over "detailed allegations of serious contraventions of multiple Australian criminal and civil laws."

ABC Australia reported additional developments, including an apology from the ABC and the findings of its ombudsman. The broadcaster's formal complaints handling process, conducted by the ABC Ombudsman, found that the episode did not breach the ABC's editorial standards relating to harm and offence.

Both outlets quoted McGuinness's apology. She said her intention was not to promote violence and that her writing is "cartoonish and satirical."

Key Claims

  • Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting threatened the ABC with legal action over the episode, as reported by both ABC Australia and The Guardian — World.
  • The episode aired on July 12 and included a fictional scenario by contestant Kate McGuinness that depicted a violent attack on Rinehart. Both outlets described the scene in similar terms.
  • Hancock Prospecting demanded the removal of the segment and a public apology, according to a company statement reported by both outlets.
  • The ABC Ombudsman is reviewing audience complaints about the episode, as stated by an ABC spokesperson and reported by ABC Australia. A later ABC Australia report said the Ombudsman had found no breach of editorial standards.
  • Kate McGuinness apologised for her comments, saying she did not intend to promote violence and that her writing is satirical, as reported by ABC Australia and The Guardian — World.
  • The ABC apologised for the episode, with Managing Director Hugh Marks saying it "has fallen short of community expectations," according to ABC Australia. The ABC also said it would amend its guidance on violence.
  • The acting Prime Minister Richard Marles described the sketch as "completely inappropriate and unacceptable," as reported by ABC Australia.
  • The Greens communications spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young called the segment "disgusting," as reported by ABC Australia.

Perspectives

Hancock Prospecting / Gina Rinehart

Through a company statement, Hancock Prospecting has demanded the removal of the episode, a public apology to Mrs Rinehart, and a comprehensive investigation into how the material came to be commissioned, approved, and published. The company said it had placed the ABC's leaders on notice over alleged contraventions of Australian law and criticised the ABC for not providing a substantive response within a week of its initial letter.

ABC

The ABC apologised to Mrs Rinehart and to anyone else affected by the episode. Managing Director Hugh Marks acknowledged the segment "has fallen short of community expectations." However, the ABC's Ombudsman, following a formal review of complaints, found that the episode did not breach the broadcaster's editorial standards. The ABC said it would amend its guidance on violence.

Kate McGuinness

The contestant apologised for her comments, stating that her intention was not to promote violence and describing her writing as "cartoonish and satirical."

Political figures

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles described the sketch as "completely inappropriate and unacceptable," while Greens communications spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young called the segment "disgusting."