ABC opts for Hard Quiz ahead of Clive Palmer’s National Press Club address
The ABC has overlooked Clive Palmer’s pre-election address to the National Press Club in favour of a re-run of comedy program.
The ABC has overlooked Clive Palmer’s pre-election address to the National Press Club in favour of a re-run of comedy program Hard Quiz.
Mr Palmer, who is chairman of the United Australia Party, delivered his speech from 12.30pm Thursday.
Neither ABC’s dedicated news channel ABC News 24, nor the national broadcaster’s main channel, provided live coverage of the address, despite the fact that two speeches to the NPC earlier this week — namely those of Labor’s Treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers on Tuesday, and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas on Wednesday — were broadcast live.
ABC’s main channel aired a repeat of Hard Quiz at 12.30pm, while ABC News 24 carried a news bulletin.
During his address on Thursday, Mr Palmer was critical of the ABC.
“Between now and the election we’ll spend about $40 million (in advertising) because we don’t get any coverage on the ABC unfortunately.”
Mr Palmer’s address to the NPC was originally slated for late February, but it was postponed when the UAP chairman fell ill with Covid.
At the time, The Australian’s Media Diary reported that following high-level internal discussions within the ABC, a decision was taken to air the address by Mr Palmer on delay.
That move was reportedly met with some stiff opposition within the walls of the public broadcaster, with some senior members of staff taking the view that ABC viewers should be given the opportunity to see Mr Palmer — a major political player in a looming election — held up to scrutiny by journalists at the NPC.
The ABC did not respond to questions from The Australian on Thursday, but in February, a spokeswoman for the public broadcaster said that coverage of NPC events “depends on the schedule”.
The ABC subsequently aired a shortened version of Mr Palmer’s address, and the ensuing question and answer session, at 2pm on Thursday.
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