An Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) personality is facing backlash for a video that resurfaced showing her twerking to the ceremonial bugle call 'The Last Post' on Anzac Day in 2021. The stunt has been described by an army veteran as 'designed to be hurtful' and having left fellow soldiers 'enraged'.
The footage shows Kate McGuinness, identified as a star of 'Race Around the World,' on a tin roof wearing a red jumper while performing the dance as 'The Last Post' played. 'The Last Post' is traditionally used to signify the end of the day and as a ceremonial farewell for fallen soldiers.
Phillip Thompson, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry and an army veteran, told 2GB's Ben Fordham that the video was intended to be provocative and divisive. He stated that he believed the display was one of the most disrespectful actions he had witnessed, comparing it to a controversial performance in 2021 involving twerking at the commissioning of HMAS Supply. Thompson suggested that McGuinness' actions were intended to stoke division and undermine the sacrifices made by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), emphasizing that the freedoms enjoyed by activists are a result of these sacrifices.
Thompson also highlighted the irony that the ADF would be the first to respond if McGuinness were ever in trouble, despite her perceived disrespect. He drew a parallel between disrespecting the military and disrespecting the police, noting that individuals in need would likely turn to law enforcement for assistance.
This incident follows a prior controversy involving McGuinness for a short film she created for a filmmaking competition as part of 'Race Around the World.' In her four-minute entry, titled 'A Very Relaxing Video,' McGuinness made a joke about mining magnate Gina Rinehart, graphically describing assaulting her with a stick. The segment remained online for 25 days before being removed after Rinehart threatened legal action.
The ABC defended the film, stating it was intended to be satirical and editorially justifiable within the program's context. However, ABC managing director Hugh Marks later issued a statement acknowledging that the episode had fallen short of community expectations and apologized to Rinehart and others who were upset by the film. While the Ombudsman found the film did not breach ABC's editorial policies, Marks acknowledged the lapse.
Thompson also criticized the ABC for initially allowing the Rinehart joke video to remain online, calling it "disgraceful." He argued that as a taxpayer-funded public broadcaster, the ABC had acted improperly by allowing such content and leaving it accessible for an extended period, labeling the network as biased and unbalanced.