Premier Mike Rann denies sidelining ABC host Matthew Abraham from election debate
Daniel Wills, Political Reporter From: AdelaideNow
February 24, 2010 12:00PM
PREMIER Mike Rann has denied he attempted to ban ABC Radio journalist Matt Abraham from the interview panel of a televised election debate.
Mr Rann and Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond were yesterday locked in a public spat over when the showdown would be held. The pair has now agreed to go head-to-head on Channel 10 next Wednesday.
Mr Abraham today told ABC 891 Adelaide morning show listeners the Premier's office had attempted to remove him from the interview panel and install a television reporter in his place.
He said a letter from Channel 10 sent to the leaders on December 21 proposed an interview panel including himself, The Advertiser's Greg Kelton and Channel 10 reporter Daniela Ritorto.
"I then found out I had been uninvited," Mr Abraham said.
He said the Premier's senior media advisor Jill Bottrall confirmed in a phone call the Government requested his name be removed.
"She thought it was more important having people covering the campaign day-to-day on the panel," Mr Abraham said.
Mr Rann today denied he had "misled" journalists and had attemped to have Mr Abraham removed.
"I am more than happy for Matthew Abraham to be on the debate panel," Mr Rann said.
"I think it would be terrific for Channel 10 to offer positions on that debate panel to representatives of other media organisations.
"The more the merrier. I'm relaxed about whoever it is that's on the panel."
Mr Rann said he was "unaware" of discussions between his media office and Channel 10 asking for the ABC to change its representative.
Shortly before noon, Mr Rann repeated the denials on the mornings program an conceded a staffer had "suggested to have the political reporters from the different stations".
"If there's been any misleading then I apologise for that," he said.
I ask the question: Is Rann in charge of his own destiny or is Jill Bottrall?
Attempt at an absolute manipulation of the media - if there's one thing about the ABC guys, is that they give both sides a grilling and pull them up on their bullshit