ABC star Sarah Ferguson accused of bias after comment to politician
An ABC star has been accused of 'bias' after she told a newly-elected Liberal Party MP she was 'glad' to have him back.
Sarah Ferguson, host of 7.30, interviewed Tim Wilson, who was recently declared the new member for Goldstein in Melbourne after a nail-biting partial recount.
Wilson, who was ousted from the seat by Teal Zoe Daniel in 2022, achieved one of the most remarkable comebacks in Australian political history, taking back the seat with a swing of 3.3 per cent.
Ferguson quizzed Wilson on Tuesday night in a wide-ranging interview covering his successful campaign, his devastating defeat in 2022 and his criticism of Labor's controversial plans for a tax on unrealised capital gains.
But it was a throwaway line from Ferguson at the end of the interview that has sparked a bias row.
'We'll have to continue this conversation, it's a complex topic but I'm glad to have you back,' Ferguson told Wilson.
The ABC legend was immediately accused of being an 'LNP mouthpiece'.
Keith Sutherland, who received an Order of Australia medal in 2021, said he was 'absolutely appalled' by the chummy five-word comment.
'I have never heard Sarah say that to an ALP MP,' he fumed.
'The bias shown by our once great ABC Australia is absolutely disgusting and it's time for Anthony Albanese to make some changes at the top and board.'
Former press gallery journalist Geoff Kitney added: 'What an extraordinary thing for a senior ABC political journalist to say!'
His intervention prompted yet more foaming at the mouth, with some calling for Ferguson to lose her job.
'It was appalling, she should be sacked,' seethed one Aussie.
Another quipped: 'Aha! Slip. She meant "Glad to have your back".'
Author Helen Allen queried whether Ferguson would be 'so quick out of the blocks to have Nicolette Boele on'.
Teal independent Boele was finally declared the victor over Liberal challenger Gisele Kapterian in the ultra-tight Sydney seat of Bradfield after a recount on Wednesday.
Ferguson had Boele on her show just hours afterwards.
'Tonight is your night, Nicolette Boele, congratulations - lots to talk about in the future but for now, thank you very much for coming in,' Ferguson told the victorious Teal.
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