ABC: "It wasn’t us"

The ABC has refuted claims it was malicious or had any say in cutting the Leaders’ Debate feed to the Nine Network.

It claims “The National Press Club was awarded the right to host last night’s Leaders’ Debate, and under the rules had responsibility for organising the broadcast of it. One of the accepted rules was that there would be no “worm” on any broadcast made available.”

All decisions about the host broadcast feed, including decisions about who it would be provided to, were made by the National Press Club.

“The ABC had no role in this decision making process,” an ABC Corporate spokeswoman said.

Press Release:

“The National Press Club was awarded the right to host last night’s Leaders’ Debate, and under the rules had responsibility for organising the broadcast of it. One of the accepted rules was that there would be no “worm” on any broadcast made available.

Due to its traditional role as host broadcaster for the NPC, the ABC provided some host broadcast services to the NPC, including personnel to assist in this, and the Sound and Vision Office of Parliament House provided key resources and facilities.

This host broadcast feed was produced out of the Parliament House studio of the Sound and Vision Office, and provided to other broadcasters, including the ABC.

All decisions about the host broadcast feed, including decisions about who it would be provided to, were made by the National Press Club.

The ABC had no role in this decision making process,” an ABC Corporate spokeswoman said.