‘Ask that question again’: Dutton rebukes ABC reporter for Hezbollah question

Peter Dutton has accused the national broadcaster of failing to understand why the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah, is listed by Australia as a terrorist organisation in a terse press conference where the opposition leader rebuked an ABC reporter for her questions.

Melbourne and Sydney protesters at weekend rallies held Hezbollah flags and portraits of its assassinated leader, Hassan Nasrallah, prompting Dutton to demand prosecutions of those displaying terrorist symbols.

At the press conference, ABC reporter Anushri Sood put to Dutton that some groups considered the laws hypocritical because, she said, Israel’s actions had resulted in 45,000 deaths and its flag was still allowed.

Dutton responded: “Israel is a democracy. It’s not run by a terrorist organisation. Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation. They’re a listed terrorist organisation. And if people are in favour of a terrorist organisation, they should declare it, and authorities should deal with them.”

In a question only partly audible, Sood then appeared to ask why Hezbollah was listed as a terrorist organisation. Dutton asked Sood which organisation she was from. The ABC, Sood replied.

“You asked about the listing of the organisation. I just didn’t understand that question, is this a question from Canberra [federal politics reporters]?” Dutton said. Sood said it was not.

The opposition leader repeatedly cut off the young reporter to tell her to repeat the question in its original form.

“No, you asked the question about the listings … just ask that question again,” he said, brusquely.

Sood said her question was: “If you could just explain what determines something is a terrorist organisation?”

ABC reporter Anushri Sood.Credit: X/Twitter

Dutton then slammed the ABC, saying the broadcaster appeared not to support parliament’s bipartisan decision to list Hezbollah as a terrorist group.

“Now, if the ABC doesn’t support that, they should be very clear about it, because I think that’s quite a departure,” Dutton said.

Sood interjected to say that was not her claim, but Dutton continued.

“You asked me why our country has listed Hezbollah – they’re a terrorist organisation that organises terrorist attacks,” he said. “If that is not clear to the ABC, then I think the ABC is in greater trouble than even I first imagined.”

Sood said that had not been her question. Australia listed Hezbollah’s armed wing as a terrorist organisation in 2003 and the entire organisation in 2021.

Australia’s terror listing for Hezbollah notes that the organisation “traditionally represents the Lebanese Shia community, the country’s largest religious sect, and maintains a social welfare network that encompasses education and health services”.

Sood declined to comment.

In a statement released Tuesday evening, an ABC spokesman said: “Questions at a press conference today were not a piece of reporting nor a position being taken by the ABC. Hezbollah is listed as a terrorist organisation by the Australian Government and the ABC recognises that in its coverage.”

Israeli airstrikes have eliminated several Hezbollah commanders but also killed about 1000 civilians and forced 1 million to flee their homes, according to the Lebanese government.

Hezbollah had continued to fire rockets as far as 150 kilometres into Israeli territory.

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