Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has launched a full scale attack at Australian broadcaster The ABC, announcing an “urgent” government inquiry into Monday’s “Q&A” episode, and declaring that “heads should roll over this”.
Speaking in Canberra today, as reported by Fairfax, Abbott, somewhat dramatically, ramped up the government’s response to Monday night’s show, attacking the ABC for “a gross error judgment” and likening it to a “betrayal” of country.
“Now, frankly, heads should roll over this. Heads should roll over this,” said the PM, going full guillotine on their asses, while seemingly referencing the very same tactics undertaken by a certain terror organisation prone to beadings.
The incident that has sparked the public and government outcry occurred during Monday night’s episode of “Q&A” which featured terrorism suspect Zaky Mallah, who said comments made by junior minister Steve Ciobo about the government’s changes to citizenship laws would encourage people to join ISIS.
The ABC has since admitted to making an “error in judgment” in giving Mallah air time and said the decision would be reviewed. But Tony Abbott and Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull have today announced that is not enough and they would be launching their own review into the incident.
“We’ve announced that we are not satisfied with an internal ABC inquiry because so often we’ve seen virtual whitewashes when that sort ever thing happens,” said the Prime Minister.
“There is going to be an urgent government inquiry with recommendations, and frankly the ABC ought to take some very strong action straightaway.”
