Peter Dutton launches blistering attack on ABC’s Laura Tingle in 2GB Ray Hadley interview: ‘Partisan Greens supporter’

Peter Dutton has branded ABC 7.30’s chief political correspondent Laura Tingle as a ‘partisan Greens-Labour supporter’.

Mr Dutton appeared on Sydney radio 2GB’s Ray Hadley show on Thursday to condemn Tingle’s comments at the Sydney Writers Festival last Sunday.

Speaking on a panel at the event, Tingle branded Australia a “racist country”, praised the Labor Party led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and accused Mr Dutton of inciting violence against migrants.

On Thursday, Mr Dutton reflected on Tingle’s spectacular tirade, saying her “credibility as a journalist has really been shot”.

“Laura Tingle has now exposed herself as someone who is partisan, she is a Green/Labour supporter,” he said.

“I mean, she’s just completely destroyed her credibility, but they’re going to keep her on because that’s what happens at the ABC.

“But, like I said, I think it’s comical, and you just let them play their games.”

Dutton’s harsh words followed Tingle’s public rebuke by ABC news director Justin Stevens.

Mr Stevens said Tingle’s comments did not meet the ABC’s editorial standards and described them as ‘lack of context, balance and supporting information’.

Tingle is one of the broadcaster’s oldest journalists, taking on a staff-elected position on the board in 2023.

Nevertheless, Mr Stevens said this was the case ‘advised about her comments’.

During Sunday’s panel, Tingle said she couldn’t remember the last time a major party leader was seen “saying… everything that goes wrong in this country is because of migrants.”

‘[I] had this sudden flash of people trying to rent a property or at auction and they look a little different – however you define ‘different’ – (and) that he (Dutton) has basically given them a license to be abused, and in any circumstance where people feel like they are missing out,” she said.

Tingle accused Dutton of ‘dog whistling’ and said his call to reduce immigration did not make ‘rational sense’.

She also praised Labour, saying: ‘It’s not just about whether they’ve got rid of Scott Morrison, they’re actually trying to govern, they’re trying to run a government, they’re actually trying to make policy.

“Whether you think the policy is nonsense or not, that is another matter.”

Mr Stevens revealed on Wednesday that Tingle had been warned about poorly representing the ABC at “external events”.

Tingle accused Mr Dutton (pictured) of inciting violence against migrants during a panel at the Sydney Writers’ Festival on Sunday

“While the comments were made in a conversational manner and not in her employment capacity, the ABC and its employees have unique obligations in the Australian media,” he said.

‘Laura has been reminded of its application both at external events and in her work and I have advised her on the comments.’

ABC chief executive David Anderson will be questioned about Tingle’s comments at a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Thursday.

Despite receiving “counseling” for her rant, Tingle released a 1,380-word statement on Wednesday describing the reporting of her comments as creating an “opportunity for yet another anti-ABC pile-on.”

“This is not helpful to me or the ABC. Or the national debate,” she said.

“I am proud of my work as a journalist at the ABC, across all its platforms, and I let that work speak for itself.”

Tingle also tried to play down her claim that ‘Australia is a racist country’.

“I did comment on Sunday that we are a racist country, in the context of a discussion about the political prospects that await us,” she said.

‘I didn’t say every Australian is a racist. But we clearly have a problem with racism.”

The ABC’s editorial policy specifically states that employees should not make public comments that could “affect the perception of impartiality of staff and the ABC”, even during external activities.

Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman described Tingle’s comments about Mr Dutton as “extraordinary and completely indefensible”.

Tingle was publicly reprimanded on Wednesday by ABC news director Justin Stevens (pictured).

“In addition to her comments about Mr Dutton, Ms Tingle has made further statements about her views on the Albanian government and the coalition,” he said.

“While every Australian is entitled to their political views, not every Australian is the chief political correspondent for the ABC’s 7.30 program.

“The ABC must explain how Ms Tingle’s statements are compatible with her role at the taxpayer-funded broadcaster.”

The ABC did not respond to Daily Mail Australia’s request for comment on Monday.