Senate shoots down Andrew Bragg’s ABC complaints inquiry

A federal government-backed inquiry into the controversial complaints-handling processes at the ABC and SBS has been rejected by the Senate.

NSW Liberal senator Andrew Bragg. Picture: Gary Ramage

A federal government-backed ­inquiry into the complaints-­handling processes at the ABC and SBS has been rejected by the ­Senate.

The probe, initiated by NSW Liberal senator Andrew Bragg, was suspended on Tuesday after a motion put forward by the Greens and Labor won crossbench support and was carried by one vote.

The inquiry will now not proceed until the next term of parliament, if at all.

The federal government’s push to launch the Senate inquiry came just weeks after the ABC had announced an “independent” external review of its complaints-handling processes.

The announcement of the Senate probe a fortnight ago drew a furious response from ABC chair Ita Buttrose, who accused the federal government – and Senator Bragg in particular – of “political interference”.

“Once again, an elected representative has chosen to threaten the ABC’s independence at the ­expense of the integrity of this ­irreplaceable public service,” Ms Buttrose said in a statement on November 14. “Any incursion of this kind into the ABC’s independence should be seen by Australians for what it is – an attempt to weaken the community’s trust in the public broadcaster.”

Following Tuesday’s vote in the Senate, Senator Bragg said in a statement: “Restricting community access to the Senate committees is a backward step for our democracy.

“Motions considered by the Senate to silence Australians are very troubling. It raises further questions. The ABC has already admitted the need for action with their own inquiry, which is not as strong as the Senate’s inquiry … the ABC’s inquiry is not independent, as the ABC’s investigators will report to the ABC.

“While I am disappointed with the result, I respect the Senate’s right to do so but reserve my right to undertake additional steps.

“The inquiry has already received several sensitive but critical submissions. We must not close the door on these Australians.”

The complaints-handling process at the ABC has been under scrutiny in the past 12 months amid criticism of the public broadcaster for failing to address the ­editorial failings of various ­programs, including the Ghost Train: Exposed series (which suggested former NSW premier Neville Wran had ­engaged in corrupt activity); Juanita: A Family Mystery (a documentary on the disappearance of journalist Juanita Nielsen, which aired the testimony of a discredited source); and a number of episodes of Four ­Corners.

Independent senators Stirling Griff, Rex Patrick and Jacqui Lambie sided with Labor and the Greens on Tuesday to suspend the inquiry; One Nation senators Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts were paired for the vote.

An ABC spokesman said: “The ABC welcomes the vote of the Senate to defend the ABC’s independence and suspend the communications legislation com­mit­tee inquiry.

“The ABC will now continue with the independent review of the complaints system commissioned by the board in October. An issues paper will be released shortly for public comment.”