Gina Rinehart says ABC Ombudsman finding 'fails all Australian women'

Gina Rinehart AO, the owner of Hancock Prospecting, has expressed dissatisfaction with the ABC Ombudsman's decision not to deem controversial comments about her as breaching editorial standards. The incident occurred when contestant Kate McGuinness on the show "Race Around the World" recounted a fictional scenario involving a violent attack on Mrs. Rinehart, which included the grotesque suggestion of mixing her "guts" to create a "sausage roll".

Following the airing of the episode on July 12, Hancock Prospecting requested the video's removal, demanding a public apology and a thorough investigation into its publication. In response, ABC managing director Hugh Marks issued an apology to Mrs. Rinehart, acknowledging the episode fell short of community expectations. The ABC Ombudsman, however, concluded that the comments did not breach the ABC Editorial Standards, primarily due to the surreal and hyperbolic nature of the program's format and the absence of any visual depiction of violence.

Hancock Prospecting's spokesperson criticized the ABC's Editorial Standards, stating they need significant improvements to prevent the depiction of sexual violence and torture against women in any form, including satire. The spokesperson emphasized that such content should not be acceptable in Australian society, even under the guise of artistic expression, comparing it to practices employed by terrorists.

The matter was referred to the ABC Ombudsman following public complaints, with the Ombudsman's investigation focusing on whether the remarks' potential offence was justified by the program's context. The Ombudsman's decision, based on factors such as the program's format, the filmmaker's established style, and the critical reception by the judging panel, found that a reasonable audience member would not interpret the remarks as a genuine call for violence.

In light of the incident, the ABC has decided to amend its guidance on violence in programming, acknowledging that no individual should be subjected to violent comedy in its depiction. The removed episode has been replaced with an edited version, omitting the controversial material.