Australia House London backflips on Aussie media ban at cricket team event

Australia’s High Commission in London has backtracked on the rules around their exclusive event for the men’s cricket team after making a controversial call about who’s allowed in.

The Australian High Commission in London has done an embarrassing backflip and overturned a ban preventing Australian media from reporting on a lavish event starring the Australian men’s cricket team.

The High Commission initially said reporting on the taxpayer-funded invite-only event at Australia House in central London – where free-flowing alcohol and an array of seafood and meats were on the menu – could only be reported on by the UK’s biggest broadcaster, the BBC.

The situation was described by insiders as “ridiculous” and the move resulted in backlash from the Australian journalists based in England.

When this masthead asked Australia’s High Commissioner to the UK Stephen Smith at the function about the debacle that erupted, clearly annoyed at the line of questioning he hit back and said: “We’ve put out a statement” and said any quotes from the High Commission could be attributed to him.

When asked if the furore was “embarrassing” for the High Commission and why journalists had to fight to get invited with approval to report he said: “You didn’t” get banned.

The team received a warm welcome at Australia House in London. Picture: Sophie Elsworth

Steve Smith was at the event at Australia House in London. Picture: Sophie Elsworth

The Australian Men’s Cricket Team sample the food at Australia House in London. Picture: Sophie Elsworth

Canapés and drinks were on the menu. Picture: Sophie Elsworth

Just four hours before the event – which was attended by hundreds of guests – was due to start on Wednesday night (Thursday morning AEST), the decision to exclude media aside from the BBC was reversed.

An Australian High Commission spokeswoman said in a statement following the debacle:

“The Australian High Commission London’s reception for the Australian men’s cricket team is open to all media and London-based Australian correspondents have been invited.

Australian High Commissioner Stephen Smith stand next to Beau Webster as he hosts an event with the Australian Men's Cricket Team at Australia House in London. Picture: Sophie Elsworth

Players Alex Carey, Beau Webster, commentator Alison Mitchell, High Commissioner Stephen Smith and team captain Pat Cummins at Australia House in London. Picture: Sophie Elsworth

“Following consultations with Cricket Australia and the BBC by the Australian High Commission London, arrangements for exclusivity were changed to enable all Australian journalists to report on the event and attend in a professional capacity”.

Australian High Commissioner Stephen Smith hosted the Australian Men's Cricket Team at an event at Australia House in London. Picture: Sophie Elsworth

Pat Cummins signs autographs. Picture: Sophie Elsworth

The players took part in a question-and-answer session. Picture: Sophie Elsworth

Beer, wine and bubbly were flowing freely at the event which boasted an Aussie inspired menu including delicacies such as marinated lamb or king prawn skewers and meat pies.

The line up at the event includes a panel discussion with the nation’s top cricketers – Pat Cummins, Alex Carey and Beau Webster – who are in the UK ahead of next week’s ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s.

The BBC’s cricket commentator Alison Mitchell was chosen as the moderator of the event but it’s unclear if she received any payment from the Australian government.

Australian media based in London were warned in a WhatsApp group chat at 9am on Wednesday morning – just eight hours before the event was due to begin – they could not report on the event.

Pat Cummins of Australia looks on during a training session before the ICC World Test Championship Final against South Africa in Beckenham, England. Picture: Getty Images

“Cricket Australia has an exclusive media partnership with the BBC for this event, so if you would like to come along it could only be in a personal capacity, not reporting,” a spokeswoman from the Australian High Commission said.

But this masthead can reveal there was never formal agreement signed between the BBC and Cricket Australia for the event and the Australian High Commission has not explained where the information came from.

Cricket Australia also confirmed they were unaware of any licensing arrangement between them and the BBC that would preclude media from reporting on the taxpayer-funded event.

The building is located on The Strand in London, England.

But despite this an Australian High Commission spokeswoman said in a statement after the ban was dumped: “We’ve been in discussion with Cricket Australia and the BBC today to advocate for the exclusivity arrangement to be relaxed to allow for your reporting and professional attendance of the event tonight.

“We always want you to attend our events, and we’re glad that the BBC and Cricket Australia have reached this conclusion”.

It is understood the informal arrangement between the BBC and High Commission was made about a month ago however nothing was put in writing and it was only ditched after the High Commission received backlash from Australian journalists.

But in another twist after dumping the ban Australian reporters were then told in the WhatsApp group chat by the Australian High Commission that an embargo to the event would apply and no reporting could be done until 11.59pm BST on Wednesday (8.59am Thursday AEST).

This embargo did not apply to the BBC – giving them up to six hours to report on the event ahead of all Australian media attending the function.

This was dumped at the last minute and no reason was been given to why such an arrangement was decided that prevented Australian media from reporting on the event at the same time.

The BBC and Cricket Australia did not want to comment.