Peter Costello’s brain explosion is indefensible.
The Nine Network chairman’s forceful shove of journalist Liam Mendes at Canberra Airport was certainly uncalled for, definitely unwise, and possibly illegal.
For the former federal Liberal treasurer to think it was OK to assume the role of corporate macho man at a time when the media company he chairs is weighed down by allegations of harassment and bullying beggars belief.
It’s not over-egging it to say that Nine is facing an existential crisis, at least in its news and current affairs division.
Nine has long celebrated its blokey, work-hard, play-hard culture, but it’s a mantra that no longer sits well in the world of corporate Australia.
The wave of Nine staffers (almost all women) who have complained, anonymously, to The Australian since it revealed the serious, longstanding harassment and bullying allegations levelled against former news boss Darren Wick, speaks to a company that is in desperate need of change.
It’s an overused word these day but staff at Nine openly admit that the culture there is “toxic”.
Which brings us back to Costello. Here’s a bloke with a wealth of media experience, having batted away political journalists for more than two decades, including 11½ years while he was in charge of the nation’s finances.
Pushing a journalist to the floor, just because you don’t like his questions?
It doesn’t fly – not at an airport, not anywhere.
Costello has been Nine chairman for more than eight years.
After what transpired on Thursday, it might now be the right time for him to throw in the towel.
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