By CAITLIN POWELL – NEWS REPORTER and KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA
Published: 04:05 BST, 8 August 2026 | Updated: 04:29 BST, 8 August 2026
Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, has responded after the ABC apologised to her over a filmmaker's on-air attack that even one of the broadcaster's own presenters described as 'nasty'.
The ABC sparked outrage after airing a film by Kate McGuinness critical of Mrs Rinehart during the Race Around the World filmmaking competition on July 12.
The competition series follows six aspiring Australian filmmakers as they travel the world to complete 10 short films in 10 countries within 100 days.
McGuinness' four-minute entry, titled A Very Relaxing Video, took a dramatic turn towards the end when she launched into a foul attack on Mrs Rinehart.
The outburst graphically described assaulting the mining magnate with a stick to 'make one big sausage roll'.
Guest panellist Leigh Sales was the only one of the show's three judges to criticise the remarks, calling them 'nasty', though she also said she 'really liked' the film.
More than four weeks after the episode aired, the ABC issued an apology on Thursday, just days after Mrs Rinehart threatened legal action.
On Saturday, a spokesperson for Mrs Rinehart's company Hancock Prospecting told the Daily Mail they are waiting to see the 'long overdue changes to the ABC's editorial standards' after the broadcaster's 'belated' apology.
Gina Rinehart has responded to an apology issued by the ABC after a filmmaker's on-air attack
A film by Kate McGuinness graphically described assaulting the mining magnate with a stick to 'make one big sausage roll'
ABC managing director Hugh Marks has apologised to Gina Rinehart
'Such editorial standards need to stop sexual violence and torture until death episodes being shown or depicted in any form against any woman on the ABC, including under the pretence of satire or art or any other cloak,' they said.
'Satire needs to be funny, what the ABC approved to be aired for 25 days, in its violent torture until death content, was not.