ABC banned by Gold Coast mayor after Four Corners investigation

THE Gold Coast Mayor has banned an ABC crew from a press conference after being featured in an investigation and calling their crew “stupid idiots”.

THE Gold Coast mayor has blocked the ABC from a routine press conference following Monday night’s Four Corners program, which questioned his relationship with developers.

Liberal National Party aligned mayor Tom Tate was the focus of the investigative program, which looked at development in the glamorous Queensland city and the council’s influence.

During the program, reporter Mark Willacy told viewers the mayor had refused to respond to Four Corners’ questions, and following their repeated requests, had apparently had the local ABC bureau removed from the distribution list for the mayor’s daily media alerts.

Today, after the program aired, Mr Tate’s staff has taken the ABC ban a step further.

A staffer for Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate tells an ABC news crew they're not welcome at today's press conference. Picture: ABC

In vision recorded by the ABC, a staffer for Mr Tate can be seen informing members of the broadcast media that a routine press conference to be held at council chambers had changed location, and the ABC crew would not be welcome.

“Channel Nine, Channel Seven, and Ten, come upstairs please,” the female staffer is seen telling the crews set up for the conference.

An ABC crew members is heard asking off camera, “We’re not invited up?” to which the woman shakes her head.

She asks the crew, “Don’t put me on camera,” but is told by the reporter: “This is what happens when this happens. We should be allowed up like everyone else.”

“I’m just relaying the message,” she says.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has excluded @abcgoldcoast from his press conference after @4corners investigation into developer donations. pic.twitter.com/CSX5jHu9uc

— Tom Forbes (@tomforbesGC) September 19, 2017

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, pictured with his Ferrari, was the subject of a Four Corners investigation into developer donations. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The mayor’s scheduled appearance was his first media opportunity since the controversial program aired. ABC reporter Tom Forbes had prepared a number of questions including asking why the mayor didn’t sit down for an interview with Four Corners.

The apparent ABC ban also follows the mayor calling ABC staff “stupid ... idiots” in council.

“For the stupid Four Corners, who asked me the question about one of the items that ‘why did I declare my perceived conflict of interest and remain in the room?’ It’s because I have firmly the opinion that I could participate in the debate and vote on this matter in the public interest,” he said.

“Quote me on that, you idiots.”

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate was approached by a Four Corners crew after repeatedly refusing an interview. Picture: ABC/Four Corners

Though he declined to be interviewed by the program, a clip of the mayor being approached by Mr Willacy in a Gold Coast car park and asked about developer donations was included in the episode.

“The best I can tell you is that on my side I don’t receive any donation. I’m self-funded,” Mr Tate said.