101 Doll Squadron hit out at ‘creepy’ ABC after HMAS Supply ceremony

The ABC has blamed an MP for a reporting blunder which misleadingly showed the Governor-General watching a risque twerking dance routine as part of the launch of HMAS Supply.

The ABC has blamed government MP Phillip Thompson for a reporting blunder which misleadingly showed the Governor-General watching a risque twerking dance performance as part of the launch of HMAS Supply at Garden Island.

In a statement the ABC acknowledged the video they aired of the event gave viewers the impression Governor-General David Hurley was present on Saturday for the now infamous dance routine when he was not.

“This was incorrect. While the Chief of Defence was present, the Governor-General and the Chief of Navy in fact arrived after the performance,” the statement said.

The scantily-clad twerkers were commissioned by the Defence Force to help launch HMAS Supply at Garden Island. Picture: ABC

“Our reporting team initially believed they were present both because they were shown in footage of the event and because a Government MP had said that they were present.”

“The video should not have been edited in that way and the ABC apologises to the Governor-General and the Chief of Navy, and to viewers, for this error.”

It said once this came to light, the video was amended.

“The report that went to air on the 7pm News bulletin on Wednesday night did not include the footage. The online story has also been updated to make this clear.”

HMAS Supply ship's company marching at her commissioning ceremony.

The dance squadron at the centre of the twerking scandal eariler hit out at the ABC, claiming the national broadcaster edited footage in a “creepy” way to misrepresent their risque dance performance.

Footage of the event taken by the ABC showed the scantily-clad dancers in fishnet crop tops gyrating and twerking in front of an audience of military top brass and the Governor-General.

But in a statement issued on Thursday, the 101Doll Squadron said the footage had been doctored to misrepresent who was present at the performance.

“We are very disappointed at the ABC’s deceptive editing of their video piece which cut to guests and dignitaries who were not in attendance and shooting from angles which could not be seen by the audience,” the statement said.

“We found this very creepy and reflects more on the ABC’s camera operator and their need to sexualise these women and their dance piece for their own gratification.

“These are the images appearing in the media and the ABC have a lot to answer for in making us feel threatened and exploited.”

The statement said the original performance was intended as a gift from the multi-racial dance group to open a modern ship — but since then they had been the subject of harassment.

“A short piece taken out of context in what was a very long day performed before the official ceremony and before the arrival of dignitaries and not part of it. It was in no way meant to be disrespectful and we are hurt and disappointed it has been misconstrued to appear that way,” the group said.

A spokesman for the Governor General said: ““The performance occurred before the Governor-General arrived. The presentation of the video to suggest otherwise was disappointing.”

The ABC also came under fire from Prime Minister Scott Morrison today who said it was wrong, false and misleading.

“I am disappointed that this event was so misreported. I think that was disrespectful to the performers,” he said.

“To suggest there the Governor-General or others were in attendance in that way, I think that was very dishonest and I think standards have failed.”

The dance squadron claims the national broadcaster edited footage in a “creepy” way. Picture: ABC

The dancers from the nearby Woolloomoolloo dance studio were commissioned by Defence to perform a custom-choreographed twerking routine for the launch of HMAS Supply at Garden Island.

Dressed in booty shorts and crimson red fishnet crop tops, the dancers twerked and gyrated in front of the ship to the song ‘Toast’ by Jamaican reggae artist ‘Koffee.’

Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell was among the members of the audience.

The footage showed the performance was in front of an audience of military top brass but that has been questioned. Picture: ABC

Liberal backbencher Phillip Thompson said the dance was unacceptable entertainment for the commissioning of a naval ship and he had spoken to newly-minted Defence Minister Peter Dutton raising concerns about the dance.

“For the commissioning of a ship of such great magnitude, I don’t think - and the veteran community don’t think — it was the time for hip hop dancing and twerking,” he said.

“It should have been more ceremonial ... a military band should have been playing Waltzing Matilda, the Federal Guard should have been there and I didn’t see a bugle play. None of the things that I see when I close my eyes and think of the military were there.”

The ABC footage indicated the Governor-General was among the members of the audience. Picture: ABC

He said Assistant Defence Minister Andrew Hastie has also raised concerns with Mr Dutton about the performance, which Mr Thompson said represented a break from tradition within the Defence Force.

“It’s part of a broader issue within Defence,” he said.

“Tradition in Defence is something to hold very dear but what we saw was a deviation from that.”

Hundreds of members of the public and veterans have written to Mr Thompson raising concerns about the “inappropriateness” of the dance.

Neil James, executive director of the Australia Defence Association said the performance was a “mistake” and “embarrassment.”

“The worst thing about it wasn’t the dancing. It was inappropriate. And judging from the expressions of the senior officers watching, they too were bemused and embarrassed,” he said.

“I suspect a junior officer got carried away with what may have seemed like a good idea at the time.”

The group said the original performance was intended as a gift from the multi-racial dance group to open a modern ship. Picture: ABC

The Navy has been commissioning ships since 1911 but never found it necessary to commission twerking dancers, he said.

“It was a mistake to do it and I suspect they will never do it again.”

But the dancers do have one fan, with One Nation leader Mark Latham saying cancel culture crusaders should stop ruining the fun.

“I can’t believe the men in uniform look so po-faced. This is the stuff the sailors dream of,” he said.

“They should relax and enjoy the moment.”

The 101Doll Squadron said the footage had been doctored to misrepresent who was present at the performance. Picture: ABC

A spokesperson for Defence would not comment further on the incident yesterday but instead issued an earlier statement which said HMAS Supply had “engaged with the local community of Woolloomooloo - one of her home ports - to build positive relationships.”

“HMAS Supply and the Royal Australian Navy are committed to working with Australians from all backgrounds in actively supporting local charities and community groups,” they said.

They also said the performance was “prior to the commencement of the Comissioning formalities” and the arrival of the Governor General.

Originally published as 101 Doll Squadron hit out at ‘creepy’ ABC after HMAS Supply ceremony