Costello’s unworthy conduct

Nine Entertainment chairman Peter Costello’s aggressive and arrogant behaviour at Canberra Airport on Thursday was far beneath what Australians would expect of a former treasurer and the chairman of a public company. Footage filmed by The Australian’s Liam Mendes shows Mr Costello, 66, used his body to knock the reporter to the ground. Mendes had approached Mr Costello politely and professionally to ask legitimate, serious questions about controversies that have engulfed the Nine Network in recent weeks and the company’s tumbling share price. On air on Friday, some of Nine’s radio stars denounced Mr Costello’s conduct.

One male witness to the incident described Mr Costello charging “through (Mendes) like a sumo wrestler”. “You’ve just assaulted me,” Mendes told the Nine chairman. In a peculiar denial, Mr Costello claimed Mendes had fallen over an advertising placard. The former treasurer did not stop to ask Mendes how he was. Mendes told him: “That was quite violent behaviour, Mr Costello … you can’t just push someone like that.” Mr Costello was caught on camera laughing after Mendes was felled, and later got into a chauffeur-driven car.

Thirty years after entering parliament, with 11 years as treasurer, 15 years as a Future Fund board member and chairman, and eight years as Nine chairman, Mr Costello should have known how badly the incident would play out. He also should have expected questions about Nine. A fortnight ago, this newspaper revealed veteran news boss Darren Wick had resigned from Nine after he was the subject of a complaint from a female staff member. An external review will delve into complaints of sexual harassment and bullying with past and present staff. Nine’s chief executive, Mike Sneesby, was responsible for ­giving Wick a golden handshake of ­almost $1m despite the harassment allegations. The company’s share price on Friday was $1.40, down by more than 50 per cent since Mr Sneesby took on the job in March 2021.

In the wake of Thursday’s airport incident Nine insiders told The Weekend Australian it would be “untenable” for Mr Costello to continue as chairman. That is up to the company.