'We do not use private investigators': ABC fires back at Four Corners backlash
The ABC says it did not use private investigators as part of its Four Corners episode exposing alleged affairs and inappropriate behaviour by two federal ministers.
The broadcaster rejected the allegation, first reported by The Australian, in a statement on Wednesday morning amid an intensifying fallout with the Morrison government over the Four Corners program.
"We do not use private investigators," the ABC said in the statement.
Communications Minister Paul Fletcher has asked the chair of the ABC board, Ita Buttrose, to explain a controversial Four Corners episode.Credit:SMH
The broadcaster also asserted it had not received questions from the Morrison government asking whether it had used covert surveilliance to tail ministers as part of its investigation for the episode.
"These questions have not yet been received by the ABC; they appear to have been sent to The Australian first," the ABC's statement said.
The Australian reported on Wednesday that Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson, a former ABC journalist, had lodged the questions to the Senate Communications committee on Tuesday night.
It comes after federal Communications Minister Paul Fletcher wrote to ABC chair Ita Buttrose on Tuesday demanding the board explain how the episode titled "Inside the Canberra Bubble", was in the public interest and complied with its obligation to produce accurate and impartial journalism.
The episode, which aired on November 9, exposed an extramarital affair between Population Minister Alan Tudge and his then-media adviser Rachelle Miller in 2017.
It also detailed allegations that Attorney-General Christian Porter had been seen by witnesses "cuddling and kissing" a female Liberal staffer at Public Bar in Canberra. It also aired claims of sexist comments made by Mr Porter, dating back to his universities years. Mr Porter has denied the allegations levelled in the episode.
A Four Corners program revealed details of an affair between former staffer Rachelle Miller and Minister Alan Tudge.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
The ABC is yet to respond to the allegations levelled by Mr Fletcher in the letter, including that the mix of people interviewed for the program were "overwhelmingly weighted towards those either politically hostile towards the Liberal or personally hostile towards or motived by animus against the Ministers."
However, the broadcaster stood by its decision to report the story.
"We invite the public to watch the story and decide for themselves on the import of the issues it raises," the ABC said in the statement.
"The ABC stands by its journalistic independence and right to report without fear or favour on matters Australians have a right to know about."
Lisa Visentin is a federal political reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, covering education and communications.