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Peta Credlin calls out press on false Abbott reportage

Remember the great local revolt against Tony Abbott? Phillip Coorey in The Australian Financial Review, September 17:

Tony Abbott was unable to command a majority of votes among his own branch members … Out of 93 pre­selectors, Mr Abbott received just 46 votes while 38 rejected his renomination and nine abstained.

What? You don’t? Peta Credlin on her Sky News show last night:

Coorey said the meeting numbers from Friday night were tight … he misquoted the numbers; when in fact Abbott carried roughly 70 per cent of the vote. Naturally Coorey never bothered to call Abbott to check …

But Fairfax Media told us Abbott got pummelled? David Crowe in The Sun-Herald, September 16:

Some sources say he won by 46 to 38 votes, with nine people casting informal ballot papers.

Oh boy, did Fairfax get it wrong. Luckily, you can always read the real story in The Australian. Our And­rew Clennell reports, Tuesday:

Mr Abbott won 68 votes, with those who voted against him, or voted for an “empty chair”, attracting 30 votes. There were two informal votes.

Fairfax isn’t the only media outlet accused of not doing due diligence. The Saturday Paper’s Karen Middleton, September 2:

The Saturday Paper has been told that Sky News commentator Peta Credlin … was offering advice in the background.

Credlin says she offered nothing. The Sky News anchor, yesterday:

Completely false and again she (Middleton) never bothered to check this out with me either.

The ABC also has had a bad week with facts. Darren Davidson reports for The Australian, yesterday:

Kerry Stokes has strongly rejected a report by the ABC claiming that Malcolm Turnbull lost the prime ministership because of interference from him and Rupert Murdoch, confirming last night he had “never ­received a text” from the News Corp executive chairman “on this or any matter”.

Over to you, Credlin. Abbott’s ex-chief of staff, Sky News, continued:

What’s really started to trouble me recently is the modern tendency for alternative facts … some media outlets let prejudice overcome judgment and consistently report rumour as fact.

While Credlin was cooking the press gallery alive, the ABC was talking berries. Sydney councillor Craig Chung on The Drum, yesterday:

It’s not just strawberries but for all of our other food … countries around the world (are) saying, “Do you have a safe food handling system in Australia?”

Economist Stephen Koukoulas replies to Chung on Twitter, yesterday:

I wonder if anyone can point to one of those “countries around the world” saying that? Name one. What overhyped tosh.

And the Prime Minister reveals the menu for his COAG meetings. Scott Morrison in Canberra, yesterday:

The only thing that happens as a result of not having that COAG meeting is that less Tim Tams will be consumed in Canberra that week.

Tim Tams? This PM is really cutting costs. The menu for the COAG first ministers’ dinner, March 31, 2016:

Kingfish with cucumber and lemon / Beef with mushrooms and asparagus / Chocolate tart / Nick O’Leary riesling 2015 / Pirramimma Stock’s Hill Shiraz 2006 / James Squire 150 Lashes Beer / Mineral and still water …

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/cutandpaste/peta-credlin-calls-out-press-on-false-abbott-reportage/news-story/1cd305c937ac67ed274db560ec4fbbcb