ABC boss apologises for Race Around the World Gina Rinehart episode

Warning: Graphic content

ABC boss Hugh Marks has apologised for an episode of the new Race Around the World program, where a contestant joked of turning billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s “guts” into a “big sausage roll”, as the ABC’s independent ombudsman also threw out a series of complaints.

The short film titled A Very Relaxing Video was deemed to have not breached the ABC’s editorial policies, according to the ombudsman, who concluded that any reasonable audience member would view the remarks as “satirical and exaggerated commentary”, as opposed to a genuine call or endorsement of violence, as Rinehart has alleged.

The video was aired during an episode of the ABC program on July 12. Presented as an avant-garde production in the Scottish Highlands, contestant Kate McGuinness concluded by saying: “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, stirring it round, mixing her guts up nice and smooth, to make one big sausage roll to make something out of nothing.”

Rinehart has threatened the ABC with legal action following a campaign from News Corp outlets. The ombudsman said the program initially received eight complaints, but after several media outlets criticised the content, the ABC received a further 988 complaints.

Marks apologised despite the ombudsman’s findings, saying the episode’s content fell short of the community’s expectations of the broadcaster.

“While the ombudsman has found that the film did not breach the ABC’s editorial policies, the ABC acknowledges the episode has fallen short of community expectations,” Marks said in a statement.

“The ABC apologises to Mrs Rinehart and to anyone else affected or upset by the publication of the film.”

Marks said the ABC has considered whether its existing policies and guidance “sufficiently distinguishes between news and non-news content”.

“As a result, the ABC will amend its guidance as it applies to violence,” Marks said.

McGuinness apologised to anyone offended by the program last week, but said her film was in no way intended to be taken literally.

“The sense of humour featured in each of my films on the Race Around The World program is farcical. In no way was it my intention to promote violence. My writing is cartoonish and always satirical. Unfortunately, jokes do not land with everyone,” she said.

Numerous politicians have weighed in on the story since it was first publicised by The Herald Sun two weeks ago. Health Minister Mark Butler called the content “revolting” in comments made to News Corp at the weekend.

On Friday, a statement from Hancock Prospecting, the company which Rinehart chairs, said the program posed an ongoing risk to her, placing ABC chair Kim Williams, managing director Hugh Marks and deputy chair Lisa Caffery on legal notice.

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