ABC backs Alice Springs host Stewart Brash as broadcaster cops 21 complaints his over Albo interview

An ABC radio presenter’s interview with the Prime Minister has led to him being accused of ‘pro-coalition bias’ – but his employer has found he was ‘consistently civil’.

The ABC has received 21 complaints over an interview with the Prime Minister in Alice Springs, but the national broadcaster has determined the presenter asking the questions did nothing wrong.

On Friday, the national broadcaster’s ombudsman Fiona Cameron released findings which detailed ABC Alice Springs breakfast presenter Stewart Brash did not breach ABC’s editorial standards when interviewing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Mr Brash interviewed Mr Albanese on February 7, and things got tense during the interview when Mr Brash told the Prime Minister he thought he was claiming “underdog status” ahead of the federal election.

“You’re verballing me there,” Mr Albanese replied, to which Mr Brash replied “that’s my job” before Mr Albanese cut him off.

ABC Alice Springs breakfast presenter Stewart Brash. Picture: Phil Williams

“No, it’s not actually. It’s not the job of the ABC. There’s enough other media outlets engaged in that,” Mr Albanese hit back.

The interview ended with Mr Brash asking the Prime Minister what’s “his riff today”, with Mr Albanese requesting the station play Camp Dog by King Stingray – a Territory band from northeast Arnhem Land.

Immediately once the interview concluded, this masthead approached Mr Albanese outside the Alice Springs ABC studio.

He looked frustrated, and did not answer questions as to why he was flew into Brisbane on his way to Alice Springs after leaving flood ravaged Townsville.

He later told the Courier Mail he “launched a campaign” for Labor’s Brisbane candidate.

“I work hard. I have meetings. I make no apologies,” Mr Albanese told the Courier Mail.

Ms Cameron said the 21 “content complaints” were concerned “the interview lacked impartiality because the interviewer asked questions that demonstrated a pro-Coalition bias and repeatedly interrupted the Prime Minister”.

This publication understands the complaints were individually expressed and came in shortly after the interview was aired.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Alice Springs, NT, on Friday, February 7,. Picture: Gera Kazakov

The ABC did not answer questions from this masthead around whether the complainants had political affiliations.

In Ms Cameron’s findings, she determined Mr Brash “demonstrated a consistently civil and objective approach” when interviewing the Prime Minister.

“The Prime Minister was able to respond to the questions that were asked at length and in detail during the 25-minute interview,” she said in her findings.

“We are satisfied the questions posed by Mr Brash were focused on local issues of relevance to the Alice Springs audience and in keeping with the tone of a local breakfast program.”

The findings were released a week after the live radio interview took place during Mr Albanese’s time in Alice Springs, where he announced more than $842.6 million in funding for Territory Aboriginal organisations.

Immediately after finishing a press conference on the announcement, Mr Albanese went to the ABC studios for the 25 minute interview.

An Australian Communications and Media Authority spokesperson said the organisation did not receive any “contacts” regarding Mr Brash’s interview with the Prime Minister on February 7.

Originally published as ABC backs Alice Springs host Stewart Brash as broadcaster cops 21 complaints his over Albo interview