Gina Rinehart threatens ABC with legal action over offensive Race Around the World segment
Consensus Summary
Gina Rinehart and her company, Hancock Prospecting, have threatened legal action against the ABC over a crude segment aired on the *Race Around the World* program on **July 12**. Contestant Kate McGuinness made offensive comments about Rinehart, including a violent and graphic joke about turning her into a 'sausage roll'. Hancock Prospecting demanded the ABC remove the segment, apologize, and investigate its approval, sending a formal letter on **July 23**. By **Friday**, the ABC had not removed the episode, which remained available on iView despite public outrage. McGuinness issued an apology on **Thursday**, clarifying her intent was satirical, but Hancock Prospecting accused the ABC of normalizing violence. The ABC Ombudsman is reviewing complaints, and the episode’s final airing is scheduled for **August 9**. Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells has acknowledged the controversy while upholding the ABC’s editorial independence.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The offensive segment aired on the ABC's *Race Around the World* program on **July 12**
- Hancock Prospecting sent a legal letter to the ABC board on **July 23** demanding removal of the segment, a public apology, and an investigation
- Kate McGuinness, the contestant who made the offensive comments, issued an apology on **Thursday**
- The ABC Ombudsman is independently reviewing audience complaints about the **July 12** episode
- The episode was rated **M** for 'coarse language' and 'sexual references'
- The segment included the line: *'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'*
- The ABC confirmed it had received legal correspondence from Gina Rinehart’s lawyers by **Friday**
- The episode was still available to stream on iView as of **Friday afternoon**
- *Race Around the World* airs at **7.30pm on Sundays** on the ABC
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Hancock Prospecting stated that **one week has now elapsed** since their **July 23** letter, with no substantive response from the ABC.
- The ABC’s managing director, Hugh Marks, was formally placed on notice alongside the chair and deputy chair.
- The Western Australian premier, Roger Cook, called the skit 'unacceptable' and used 'confronting' language.
- The episode was still available on iView as of **Friday afternoon** despite public condemnation.
- The ABC spokesperson confirmed the ombudsman’s review was ongoing as of **July 31**.
- The episode was described as part of a show following six Australian filmmakers across 10 countries over 100 days.
- Complaints about the episode surfaced on **July 24** after *The Australian* published criticism.
- Hancock Prospecting’s statement called the content 'appalling' and accused the ABC of normalizing 'violence and murder'.
- Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells weighed in on **Wednesday**, respecting the ABC’s editorial independence.
- The final episode of *Race Around the World* is due to air on **August 9**.
- ABC journalist Leigh Sales was part of the judging panel for the **July 12** episode and called it a 'nasty gag about Gina Rinehart'.
- The segment was shot in the Scottish Highlands and featured 'forest ninja' Master Tom.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian and ABC state Hancock Prospecting’s letter was sent on **July 23**, but the SMH implies complaints first surfaced publicly on **July 24** after *The Australian*’s article.
- The Guardian mentions Hancock Prospecting sent legal letters to the ABC’s chair, deputy chair, and managing director, while the ABC article only names them as being 'placed on notice' without specifying all three recipients.
- The Guardian says the ABC was asked to remove the segment by **Friday afternoon**, but the ABC article does not confirm a removal deadline or timeline.
Source Articles
Gina Rinehart threatens ABC with legal action over Race Around the World program
Hancock Prospecting says chair Kim Williams among those ‘on notice’ for failing to remove program that joked about turning Rinehart’s insides into a sausage roll Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Gina Rinehart has threatened the ABC with legal action over crude comments aired on the national broadcaster, including a joke about mixing her guts into a sausage roll. The four-minute film, titled A Very Relaxing Video, aired on the Race Around the World program on 12 July a
Gina Rinehart puts ABC on notice over Race Around the World episode
Hancock Prospecting has formally placed ABC Chair Kim Williams AM, Deputy Chair Lisa Caffery and Managing Director Hugh Marks on notice and foreshadowed possible legal action.
ABC Race Around the World contestant apologises after Gina Rinehart complaint
Kate McGuinness was accused of inciting violence against the billionaire mining magnate in her film, “A Very Relaxing Video”.