Originally published by Kate Stephenson of News.com.au
01. 08. 2026
Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart has launched legal action against the national broadcaster after a segment seemingly denoting violence against her was aired.
The four-minute clip, which aired three weeks ago as part of the ABC’s Race Around The World series, ended with the voiceover message: “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”.
Ms Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting sent legal letters to ABC listing a series of civil and criminal breaches which they claim arise from the segment and its airing.
The company previously wrote to the ABC board a week earlier, requesting the segment be removed, a public apology be made, and an investigation into how it was able to be published be commissioned.
“One week later, the ABC’s board and senior management have provided no substantive public response, nor any substantive response to Hancock or Mrs Rinehart, and have taken 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,” the statement read.
“Hancock has now formally placed ABC chair Kim Williams AM, deputy chair Lisa Caffery and managing director Hugh Marks on notice of detailed allegations of serious contraventions of multiple Australian criminal and civil laws arising from the ABC’s publication and continued publication of the material.”
The ABC initially stood behind the programming as “editorially justifiable” but have since referred the matter to their internal Ombudsman.
The ABC Ombudsman reports directly to the ABC Board.
The creator of the segment, contestant Kate McGuinness apologised via the ABC on Thursday afternoon, claiming no intention to incite violence against the prominent figure.
“The sense of humour featured in each of my films on the Race Around The World program is farcical,” Ms 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.”
The ABC noted their support of the statement.
Communications Minister Anika Wells condemned the segment on Wednesday as “unacceptable”.
“Like any Australian, there’s stuff I see on TV that I don’t agree with,” she said.
“As the Minister for Communications, I respect the editorial independence of the ABC, but I understand they have now referred it to the Ombudsman.
“I think that was the right thing to do.”
Regulatory board ACMA have advised they will wait until the results of the Ombudsman’s investigation are complete before deciding to pursue any further action, per it’s co-regulatory obligation.
