Australian minister condemns ABC skit targeting Gina Rinehart

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation aired a four‑minute segment on its “Race Around The World” program that featured a graphic, violent description of mining magnate Gina Rinehart, including language about shoving a stick into her butthole and turning her guts into a “sausage roll”. The clip, titled “A Very Relaxing Video”, sparked widespread criticism.

Health Minister Mark Butler described the segment as “pretty revolting” and said such material should not be shown on television. He noted that the ABC’s internal Ombudsman is now investigating the piece. Contestant Kate McGuinness, who created the video, issued an apology, stating the content was intended as satirical and cartoonish, not a literal call for violence.

Hancock Prospecting, Rinehart’s company, sent legal letters to the ABC alleging civil and criminal breaches and demanding the segment’s removal, a public apology, and an investigation into how the material was broadcast. The ABC, which initially defended the segment as editorially justifiable, has since referred the matter to its Ombudsman.