Costello: ‘You know what happens when people put a mobile phone in front of a member of my family’

The A Current Affair reporter son of former Nine Chairman Peter Costello has taken aim at his father over his now infamous airport stoush with a journalist.

The son of former Nine Chairman Peter Costello has made light of his father’s physical altercation with a journalist at Canberra Airport.

The ex federal treasurer resigned from Nine’s board after the ugly stoush with The Australian journalist Liam Mendes over the media company’s bullying and harassment scandal.

06/06/2024: Stills taken from vision of reporter for The Australian, Liam Mendes approaching NINE chairman Peter Costello at Canberra airport. Costello shoulder barges Mendes where he subsequently falls to the ground. Picture: Liam Mendes

Speaking to comedian Dave Hughes in audio played on the Hughesy, Ed (Kavalee) and Erin Molan 2Day FM breakfast show, Costello’s A Current Affair reporter son, Seb, said: “Erin Molan, how are you my friend?” Costello Jr said. “It is lovely to see your co-host. Hughesy is very brave by the way, you know what happens when people put a mobile phone in front of a member of my family. Anything can happen, so you’ve got to be careful.”

Confidential understands Hughes had been walking in St Kilda, Melbourne, on Monday when he saw Costello Jr and approached him for a chat.

It comes a week after Costello resigned from the Nine board after denying reports he allegedly assaulted Mendes.

Footage appeared to show Costello walking towards Mendes before he fell backwards.

Catherine West has been appointed Nine’s new chair.

In a statement, Costello said he had flagged retiring from the board following the Olympics in July and by November at the latest but pulled forward the timing.

A Current Affair reporter Seb Costello. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“The board has been supportive through the events of the last month and last few days in particular,” he said. “But going forward I think they need a new chair to unite them around a fresh vision and someone with the energy to lead to that vision for the next decade.”

Mendes had asked Costello about claims of “alleged inappropriate behaviour” at the network, including by former senior news boss Darren Wick.

Costello Jr meanwhile in November 2022 escaped conviction after admitting getting into an ugly confrontation with neighbours over a parked car blocking access to his garage.

Appearing at the Neighbourhood Justice Centre in Melbourne’s Collingwood, the then 35-year-old was instead placed on a diversion program and fined $750 over the verbal spat that saw his neighbours call triple-0 because they feared he would assault them.

Ed Kavalee, Dave Hughes and Erin Molan for 2Day FM breakfast.

Originally published as Costello: ‘You know what happens when people put a mobile phone in front of a member of my family’