Calls for the defunding of the ABC are growing as board members hold emergency talks after a high-profile reporter claimed Australia is a “racist country”.
Laura Tingle, 7.30’s chief political correspondent and staff-elected board member, made the comment at the Sydney Writers’ Festival on Sunday.
‘We are a racist country, let’s face it. We always have been, and it’s very depressing,” she said during a panel discussion.
Tingle also accused opposition leader Peter Dutton of stoking anti-migrant sentiment, while praising Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s leadership.
The coalition hit back, demanding to know on Monday how Tingle would remain an impartial reporter ahead of the federal election, which takes place next year.
Some ABC board members are also unhappy with sources claiming that chairman Kim Williams is considering bringing forward their next meeting from June to discuss the perceived damage. The Australian reported.
Everyday Australians have joined the outrage, demanding the ABC be shut down immediately.
ABC board members have held emergency talks over the massive backlash against one of its senior reporters claiming Australia is a ‘racist country’
During Sunday’s panel, Tingle said she couldn’t remember the last time a major party leader was seen “saying… everything that goes wrong in this country is because of migrants.”
‘[I] had this sudden flash of people trying to rent a property or at auction and they look a little different – however you define ‘different’ – (and) that he (Dutton) has basically given them a license to be abused, and in any circumstance where people feel like they are missing out,” she said.
Tingle accused Dutton of ‘dog whistling’ and said his call to reduce immigration did not make ‘rational sense’.
She also praised Labour, saying: ‘It’s not just about whether they’ve got rid of Scott Morrison, they’re actually trying to govern, they’re trying to run a government, they’re actually trying to make policy.
“Whether you think the policy is bad or not is another matter.”
Critics of Tingle’s comments accused her of failing to remain impartial as a political reporter.
Others called on the ABC to stop receiving taxpayers’ money.
‘Who really cares and believes the c**p is generated by a labor-friendly biased National Broadcaster? Just now dismantle the ABCs and throw them away,” someone wrote on X.
“Laura Tingle does not speak for the majority of Australians… Defund the ABC!” said another.
“Tingle is long past her time at ABC. ABC is anti-Australia. Undo it,” wrote another.
Tingle also shared her clear bias against the opposition by criticizing Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton (pictured).
Tingle was appointed to the ABC board in 2023 as a staff-elected director and is required to ‘act in good faith and in the best interests of the ABC at all times’.
In March, Williams shared a blunt message saying staff should leave if they breached the national broadcaster’s code of being balanced.
“If you don’t want to promote a vision that strives for impartiality, don’t work at the ABC,” he said.
Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman described Tingle’s comments about Mr Dutton as “extraordinary and completely indefensible”.
“In addition to her comments about Mr Dutton, Ms Tingle has made further statements about her views on the Albanian government and the coalition,” he said.
“While every Australian is entitled to their political views, not every Australian is the chief political correspondent for the ABC’s 7.30 program.
“The ABC must explain how Ms Tingle’s statements are compatible with her role at the taxpayer-funded broadcaster.”
ABC chief executive David Anderson will be asked about Tingle’s comments at the Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Thursday.
The ABC declined to comment on the case on Monday.
