ABC boss defends Laura Tingle

The ABC’s managing director David Anderson has defended comments made by the network’s chief political correspondent for the 7.30 program, Laura Tingle, after she openly criticised Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s budget reply address.

Appearing in a panel at the Sydney Writers’ Festival on Saturday, Ms Tingle voiced disapproval with Mr Dutton’s address, arguing that she could not remember a time when a political leader had said “everything that is going wrong in this country is because of migrants”.

Ms Tingle also labelled Australia “a racist country”.

The comments fuelled accusations of bias at the national broadcaster, with Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce accusing the ABC of being “mad left wing”.

In his opening statement before senate estimates, Mr Anderson pre-emptively defended Ms Tingle’s comments.

“Laura Tingle is among the most respected and admired journalists and political commentators in the country reporting across broadcast and print platforms … and has been characterised as candid, honest and accurate,” he said.

“The issue was, the public comments at the recent Sydney Writers’ Festival did not provide the relevant context and explanation to support her analysis of the opposition’s post budget policy position on immigration.”

Facing a barrage of questions from Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson over whether the comments breached editorial standards, Mr Anderson said they would not have met them had they been made on an ABC platform.

“I think Ms Tingle has expressed regret at those comments. The way that they were summarised and truncated,” Mr Anderson said.

“I think that and I agree with her that that was a mistake.”

Asked if Ms Tingle should leave the ABC, Mr Anderson said no.

“I don’t believe Laura Tingle should leave the ABC, again, I think what needs to be said (is that it was a) conversation off the cuff at the Sydney Writers Festival, she has regretted not having context,” Mr Anderson said.

More to come.