Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, has issued a legal threat to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) following a disturbing on-air attack by a filmmaker on the program 'Race Around The World'. The incident, which occurred on July 12, involved filmmaker Kate McGuinness making remarks that presenter Leigh Sales described as "nasty."
The competition series 'Race Around The World' features aspiring Australian filmmakers completing challenges in various countries. McGuinness's entry, titled 'A Very Relaxing Video,' took a turn towards the end when she made graphic remarks about Rinehart. These comments were described as too disturbing to publish by some outlets, but reportedly involved violent assault with a stick.
Leigh Sales, a guest judge on the panel, was the only one to push back against the remarks, calling them "nasty," though she also stated she "really liked" the film.
On July 23, Rinehart's company, Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd, sent a letter to the ABC Board. The company demanded 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, with accountability for those responsible. As of a week after the letter, the ABC had not provided a substantive public response or taken steps to remove the material.
Hancock Prospecting has formally notified ABC Chair Kim Williams AM, Deputy Chair Lisa Caffery, and Managing Director Hugh Marks of allegations of serious contraventions of Australian criminal and civil laws related to the ABC's publication and continued publication of the material.
Initially, the ABC defended the film, stating it was intended to be satirical and editorially justifiable within the program's context. However, on Thursday, nearly three weeks after the episode aired, the ABC issued a statement on McGuinness's behalf, which the broadcaster said it supported. In the statement, McGuinness described the humor in her films as "farcical" and "cartoonish," asserting it was never her intention to promote violence and that the remarks were not meant to be taken literally. She apologized to anyone offended.
On Wednesday, the ABC announced that its ombudsman would independently review audience complaints about the episode. The broadcaster has not issued an apology or removed the segment, which remains accessible on its online platforms. The ABC stated it would not comment further while the review is ongoing.
Communications Minister Anika Wells described the aired content as "unacceptable" and acknowledged that while she respects the ABC's editorial independence, she understood the matter had been referred to the Ombudsman.