The Source: Greek Community of Melbourne demands ABC apology over Parthenon Marbles

Lots of people seem to be miffed with the ABC at the moment, from Jewish Australians, to the Greek Community of Melbourne who are mad with Aunt’s coverage concerning “the pinnacle of ancient Greek art”.

The Parthenon Marbles have landed the ABC in hot water. Picture: AFP

Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers.

Lots of people seem to be miffed with the ABC, from Jewish Australians upset by the perceived imbalance of the Gaza/Israel commentary, to viewers who wondered why some of the national broadcaster’s headline acts seemed so unashamedly committed to a successful Voice referendum.

Now the Greeks are mad with the ABC, and its coverage concerning “the pinnacle of ancient Greek art”.

The Greek Community of Melbourne (the GCM) is referring to the Parthenon Marbles, which have long been called the Elgin Marbles in both Australia and Britain — and, apparently, by the ABC in recent days.

Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, removed the 2500-year-old sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens in the early 19th century.

He excavated them for a planned private display, then got divorced, and was forced to sell them to the British Museum.

The Greek Community of Melbourne is demanding an apology from the ABC.

The Greeks have wanted them back ever since, arguing that the removal equated to cutting the Mona Lisa in half.

In the meantime, while Greece and Britain leaders bicker, don’t call them “Elgin”.

“Referring to them solely by the name of the individual responsible for their removal may inadvertently diminish their significance and sidestep the ongoing discussions about their repatriation to Greece,” the GCM has declared.

Alluding to ABC reports, the GCM said: “The GCM has addressed this misrepresentation and has requested a correction to ensure the accurate portrayal of these significant cultural artefacts with a formal apology by ABC Channel.”

Melb magistrate battles caseloads, cost disputes and a bomb threat

When he strode to the bench on Thursday afternoon, Magistrate Brett Sonnet had only two hours to wade through a long list of cases.

He juggled video links of prisoners in custody, adjourned a few cases, and addressed the heavy workload.

“You can curse off screen when the matter’s finished,” he told one lawyer, who was hoping to have her case finalised.

“I’m sorry, Your Honour?” she replied.

“It’s very frustrating, I know,” he said, as she asked if her case would come back before him.

“Providing God doesn’t take me in the meantime,” he said.

Magistrate Brett Sonnet had his court cleared by a bomb threat.

As Mr Sonnet proceeded through the caseload, a prisoner waiting patiently on the video link, four lawyers argued over legal costs thought to be tipping $700k.

Mid-battle, a fire alarm screeched through the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, forcing all in Court 10 to flee as the prisoner watched from the safety of the Melbourne Remand Centre.

A bomb scare, Mr Sonnet would later explain.

“You’d do anything to get out of this,” one lawyer in the costs fight joked to another as they grabbed their briefs from the bar table, and ran.

All the while, the bemused prisoner watched as the packed courtroom cleared out.

“At least you’ve got some good viewing,” he was told.

Firefighters moved in. Safety was declared. Court 10 filled up again.

The magistrate then lamented the lost hour as orders piled up on his desk and the time he had to sign them vanished.

“What a day,” Mr Sonnet said.

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