Gina Rinehart Threatens ABC With Legal Action Over Race Around the World Program
Legal Threats Escalate Over Crude Comments
Wanderstayfinder.com – Gina Rinehart threatens ABC with legal action following the broadcast of offensive remarks on the national television network. The mining magnate’s company, Hancock Prospecting, has initiated formal proceedings after a four-minute film titled A Very Relaxing Video aired on the Race Around the World program on 12 July. The segment concluded with filmmaker Kate McGuinness delivering crude and offensive comments directed at Rinehart.
During the controversial segment, McGuinness posed a provocative question to viewers: “When the revolution comes will you hide under the 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, to make one big sausage roll to make something out of nothing?”
“The ABC’s Board and senior management have provided no substantive public response, nor any substantive response to Hancock or Mrs Rinehart, and have taken no steps to remove the material from ABC platforms.”
ABC Response and Regulatory Review
On Friday, Hancock Prospecting released an official statement outlining its demands. The company confirmed it first wrote to the ABC board on 23 July, requesting that the broadcaster “immediately remove” the segment from all platforms, issue a public apology to Rinehart, and “undertake a comprehensive investigation” into the approval and publication process.
“One week has now elapsed,” the statement noted, highlighting the lack of substantive response from ABC leadership. According to Hancock, legal letters have been sent to ABC chair Kim Williams, deputy chair Lisa Caffery, and managing director Hugh Marks. These letters formally placed the broadcaster on notice regarding “detailed allegations of serious contraventions of multiple Australian criminal and civil laws arising from the ABC’s publication and continued publication of the material.”
News24 first reported that the mining magnate had “launched legal action” against the ABC and several senior executives. On Friday, the ABC confirmed receipt of the legal correspondence. “The ABC has received correspondence from lawyers acting for Ms Rinehart and will respond to it in due course,” a spokesperson stated. The ABC Ombudsman is independently reviewing audience complaints in relation to the 12 July Race Around the World episode in accordance with the broadcaster’s complaints handling process.
The episode, rated M for “coarse language” and “sexual references,” remained available to stream on iView on Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, McGuinness issued an apology on Thursday, clarifying that promoting violence was not her intention. “My writing is cartoonish and always satirical. Unfortunately, jokes do not land with everyone. Its purpose was never to be taken literally,” she explained in a statement uploaded to the ABC’s website.
Pressure had been mounting on the ABC to respond amid widespread outrage across media sectors and from Western Australian Premier Roger Cook, who described the skit as “unacceptable” and noted its “confronting” language. The media regulator indicated it would await the results of the ABC’s internal processes before determining any next steps.
“Under Australia’s co-regulatory broadcasting system set out in the Broadcasting Services Act … national broadcasters are given the first opportunity to respond to complaints about alleged breaches of their respective codes of practice.”
What Happens Next?
A spokesperson for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (Acma) explained the regulatory pathway: “If complainants are dissatisfied with the broadcaster’s response or do not receive a response within the statutory timeframe, complainants may make their complaint to the Acma.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gina Rinehart threatening the ABC over?
Gina Rinehart threatens ABC with legal action over crude comments made by filmmaker Kate McGuinness in a segment titled A Very Relaxing Video, which aired on the Race Around the World program on 12 July 2026. The comments included a provocative reference to violence against Rinehart.
What actions has Hancock Prospecting requested?
Hancock Prospecting has asked the ABC to immediately remove the segment from all platforms, publicly apologize to Rinehart, and conduct a comprehensive investigation into how the segment was approved and published.
Has the ABC responded to the legal threats?
The ABC confirmed it received legal letters from Rinehart’s lawyers and stated it would respond in due course. The ABC Ombudsman is independently reviewing audience complaints regarding the episode.
What role does Acma play in this situation?
Under Australia’s co-regulatory broadcasting system, Acma allows national broadcasters the first opportunity to address complaints. If complainants remain dissatisfied or receive no response within the statutory timeframe, they may escalate their complaint to Acma.
For more updates on this developing story, visit The Guardian Australia News or The Guardian Media section.
