Originally published by James Madden of The Australian.
03.08.2026
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has criticised the ABC for its decision to air the “revolting” short film that featured an offensive doomsday scenario in which billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart would be violently assaulted.
Speaking on News24 on Sunday, Mr Butler added his voice to the chorus of critics – including business leaders, sporting figures and MPs – who have lambasted the national broadcaster for allowing the offensive video to go to air three weeks ago.
“It’s pretty revolting and it’s not the sort of thing I think we should see on TV, whether it’s News24, a commercial television station or our public broadcaster, frankly,” Mr Butler said.
“I understand the ombudsman within the ABC is investigating it and that’s appropriate at an independent public broadcaster, but why do we have to see rubbish like this on our TVs – regardless of who it’s about?”
The short film, screened on the ABC’s Race Around The World program on July 12, involved contestant Kate McGuinness depicting a fantasy in which Mrs Rinehart would suffer a grisly fate.
“Because when the revolution comes, will you hide under your 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, making her into one big sausage roll, to make something outta nothing,” Ms McGuinness said in the clip.
The amateur filmmaker subsequently apologised.
“The sense of humour featured in each of my films on the Race Around The World program is farcical,” 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.”
On Friday, Mrs Rinehart threatened to sue the ABC’s top bosses, including chairman Kim Williams and managing director Hugh Marks, after they refused to remove the short film from the ABC’s digital platforms.
On Saturday, Australian swimming legend Dawn Fraser took aim at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for failing to condemn the ABC over the short film.
“I am sick to my stomach to think we have a government funded network, ABC, showing vile pieces to air about one of Australia’s greatest supporters Gina Rinehart and our vile Prime Minister has not come out and condemned the content,” Ms Fraser wrote in the post on social media.
“You are a spineless imbecile Albanese and you get more disgusting as the days gone on.
“To let this vile crap on ABC go to air and not come out and say anything against it shows the insipid little degenerate you are.”
Mr Albanese is yet to comment on the ABC’s decision. Other MPs to criticise the ABC over the incident include Communications Minister Anika Wells and the Coalition’s foreign affairs spokesman, Ted O’Brien, who said the “targeting” of Mrs Rinehart was “absolutely appalling”.
“The ABC should apologise,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I’m not one who beats up on the ABC. Very rarely do I comment on our national broadcaster in a negative light, but I am absolutely on this case. I’m appalled.
“You don’t treat any Australian like that. You don’t especially treat an Australian woman like that.”
Last week, a spokesman for Rinehart-owned Hancock Prospecting said the ABC owed the businesswoman a public apology.
“It is nothing short of disgusting that the ABC would encourage and normalise violence and murder by broadcasting, publishing and continuing to distribute this content. This was not an unscripted live comment; it passed through production, editorial and broadcast processes,” the spokesman said.
The ABC declined to comment on Sunday. Last week a spokesman said: “The ABC won’t be commenting further while the (ombudsman’s) review is in progress.”
