ABC stars and pollies weigh in on high-profile court case

Several high-profile ABC stars and heavyweight politicians have thrown their support behind The Chaser’s founder Julian Morrow, as he takes on his former production partner in court.

Several high-profile ABC stars and heavyweight politicians have thrown their support behind The Chaser’s founder Julian Morrow, as he takes on his former production partner over their show being canned by the national broadcaster.

Morrow is suing fellow TV producer Nick Murray for defamation over a series of emails and phone calls his legal team claims were made to people including ABC managing director David Anderson to “destroy him”.

Documents filed in the NSW Supreme Court reveal a number of affidavits written by high-profile backers of Morrow.

Dr Norman Swan, federal Labor senator Kristina Keneally and Labor MP Tony Burke are among those to support Morrow, but it was former Q&A host Tony Jones who had the most to say about his former employer.

Dr Norman Swan said Julian Morrow felt insecure about his position with ABC management.

In her affidavit Senator Keneally said she had known Morrow for over a decade in both a “professional and personal capacity”.

“I have tremendous respect for Julian’s talents, his ability and his humour … (he) is known as one of those kinds of talents that come along once in a generation,” Mr Jones wrote.

“I was shocked and very distressed when I heard that problems had arisen in Julian’s relationship with the ABC in recent years. It is my fervent hope that ABC management stands behind one of its best talents over the last few decades, and in the future Julian and the ABC are able to work together again, because it would be a great loss to the organisation if that were not the case.

“Julian is the kind of person who the ABC should keep within their orbit for as long as possible.”

Mr Morrow outside the NSW Supreme Court this week.

Tony Jones says he has “tremendous respect” for Mr Morrow.

Dr Swan, who has risen to fame during the pandemic, said Mr Morrow — who he has known for 12 years — had grown insecure in recent times about what ABC bosses think of him.

“From my conversations with Julian and my observations of him since this dispute began in May 2019, Julian often seems very distressed about the allegations and his reputation within the ABC,” Dr Swan said.

“He sought my counsel when he was offered a position on Radio National.

“From my conversations with Julian, I know that he feels insecure about his position with ABC management and his reputation in the organisation.”

A name that has been regularly mentioned in relation to the defamation proceedings since they were launched in the Supreme Court has been that of Senator Keneally.

In an email sent by Mr Murray to ABC’s Managing Director Mr Davidson, he claimed Morrow had provided background information to Senator Keneally ahead of a Senate Estimates grilling.

“These very pointed questions about Senate Estimates were clearly catalysed by Julian and seemed to be aimed at you,” Mr Murray wrote.

In her affidavit Senator Keneally said she had known Morrow for over a decade in both a “professional and personal capacity”.

“From my experience and knowledge of Julian prior to May 2019, Julian had a reputation of being honest, decent and ethical,” she said.

“I know Julian’s wife Lisa, and move amongst many of the same people as Julian, particularly those who are connected with the production company and entertainment venue known as Giant Dwarf. Amongst that circle, and prior to May 2019, Julian had a reputation of being a successful, hard working and conscientious person.”

Tony Burke has also provided support for Mr Morrow. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Federal Labor frontbencher Tony Burke said in an affidavit he had known Morrow since 1990 and that he: “had a reputation as being smart, trustworthy, sharp-witted and for holding strong views”.

And veteran ABC broadcaster Phillip Adams said in an affidavit that Mr Morrow was “utterly ethical”.

“In Julian’s work as a satirist he tells truth to power and has acted as a conscience to the nation … I regard Julian as immensely intelligent, highly talented and utterly ethical,” Mr Adams said.

All of the affidavits released by the court on Thursday were filed for either Mr Morrow or his company Giant Dwarf.