McIntosh takes aim at ABC for focusing on ‘divisive’ protests over Australia Day
New opposition communications spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh has accused the ABC of downplaying Australia Day celebrations and focusing coverage on ‘divisive’ protests.
New opposition communications spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh has taken an opening shot at the ABC, accusing the national broadcaster of downplaying Australia Day celebrations and focusing coverage on “divisive” protests.
After being elevated to shadow cabinet at the weekend into the portfolio once held by Malcolm Turnbull, Ms McIntosh told The Australian she expected more of the national broadcaster.
“I would like to give you an example of what I saw on the ABC (on Friday), their story about Australia Day,” she said. “I’m a proud Australian and across western Sydney today people were proudly celebrating Australia Day as they should, and yet there was not one story about Australia Day on the 7pm news that night.
“There was a story about Invasion Day and that perspective, but not about Australia Day.
“This is something I will be looking at as I move through the portfolio. If there is any divisiveness in broadcasting, then that is an issue.”
Ms McIntosh, who is also the spokeswoman for western Sydney, was a major winner in Peter Dutton’s reshuffle at the weekend, which included the surprise pick of Banks MP David Coleman as foreign affairs spokesman, despite the position being coveted by deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley.
Tasmanian Liberal senator Claire Chandler was also elevated to shadow cabinet in the portfolios of government services, the digital economy, science and the arts.
The promotions of Ms McIntosh and Senator Chandler bring the number of women in the Coalition’s shadow cabinet to 11 out of 22, the same number as the Albanese government’s cabinet, in a move aimed at cauterising perceptions that Labor is a better party for women.
Ms McIntosh, a mother of three, said a key focus if she were to become minister would be on ensuring the social media ban for children under 16 was successfully implemented, declaring she was not afraid of upsetting X owner Elon Musk.
“I think we need to stand up for the Australian people first and foremost, and standing up for my kids is something I would never back down on,” she said.
“This is one piece of the puzzle. It is not the end. We need to be alert to what is going on.
“It is a real struggle to keep up with what is going on in social media, even when you are a parent who is really alert to it. It has gotten out of control.”
The reshuffle – panned as “weird” by some Liberal MPs – has further bolstered the dominant conservative faction in shadow cabinet, despite pro-voice campaigner Julian Leeser returning to the frontbench as assistant spokesman for foreign affairs.
Opposition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was given an enhanced position as spokeswoman for government efficiency, mirroring Mr Musk’s role in the Trump administration in looking for savings in the bureaucracy.
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson was elevated to the seven-person leadership group, as was NDIS spokesman Michael Sukkar, who took on a key parliamentary tactics role as manager of opposition business.
Conservative South Australian MP Tony Pasin was promoted to the outer ministry in the roads safety portfolio, while West Australian senator Matt O’Sullivan was appointed assistant education spokesman.
When asked whether Ms Ley was snubbed during the reshuffle, Senator Paterson said that was a “matter between Peter and Sussan”.
“I’ve got immense respect for Sussan and the political impact she has on our behalf,” Senator Paterson told Sky News..
“She’s got a hell of a work ethic. She travels the breadth and depth of this country, visiting electorates far and wide, and she does an outstanding job for us and is a critical voice in the public debate.
“And I’m pleased to see her continue in a very senior role.”
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