Gina Rinehart threatens ABC with legal action over Race Around the World program

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart is taking a hard line against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), threatening legal action over what her company deems crude and offensive remarks aired on the national broadcaster's 'Race Around the World' program.

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When the revolution comes will you hide under the bed or will you know exactly how to shove a stick right up Gina Rinehart’s butthole, stirring it round, mixing her guts up nice and smooth, to make one big sausage roll to make something out of nothing.

The controversy centers on a four-minute segment titled 'A Very Relaxing Video,' which aired on July 12. The film concluded with filmmaker Kate McGuinness making a highly graphic and violent joke, suggesting Rinehart's "guts" could be mixed into a sausage roll. The segment was rated M for coarse language and sexual references and remained available on the ABC's streaming platform, iView.

Hancock Prospecting, Rinehart's company, formally wrote to the ABC board on July 23, demanding the immediate removal of the segment, a public apology, and a thorough investigation into its approval process. The company stated that the ABC had provided no substantive response nor taken steps to remove the material, despite widespread public condemnation and the risks posed to Rinehart.

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The ABC’s Board and senior management have provided no substantive public response, nor any substantive response to Hancock or Mrs Rinehart, and have taken no steps to remove the material from ABC platforms, despite widespread public condemnation and the serious risks its publication and continued publication pose to Mrs Rinehart.

Legal letters have reportedly been sent to key ABC executives, including Chair Kim Williams, Deputy Chair Lisa Caffery, and Managing Director Hugh Marks. News24 reported that Rinehart had "launched legal action" against the ABC and several senior executives. The ABC confirmed receipt of the correspondence, stating it would respond in due course, and noted that the ABC Ombudsman is independently reviewing audience complaints.

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The ABC has received correspondence from lawyers acting for Ms Rinehart and will respond to it in due course.

McGuinness has since issued an apology, characterizing her writing as "cartoonish and always satirical" and stating it was not intended to promote violence or be taken literally. However, pressure has mounted on the ABC, with the Western Australian premier calling the skit "unacceptable." The media regulator is awaiting the outcome of the ABC's internal processes before deciding on further action.

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My writing is cartoonish and always satirical. Unfortunately, jokes do not land with everyone. Its purpose was never to be taken literally.