BREAKING NEWS Top ABC political reporter is slammed over deplorable analogy that has upset both major parties
The ABC has come under fire for its insensitive comparison of opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hasties campaign to a fatal military parachute exercise.
The ABC has come under fire for its insensitive comparison of opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hasties campaign to a fatal military parachute exercise.
While taking a swipe at the Liberal defence minister, senior digital political correspondent Brett Worthington managed to offend former Labor defence minister, Joel Fitzgibbon.
While reflecting on Mr Hasties previous comments regarding women being barred from close combat roles in the Australian Defence Force, Worthington used the analogy of a failed parachute.
Like a soldier jumping from a plane, Hastie tried to deploy his parachute as the pace of his freefall hastened. It didnt release, he wrote.
A crash landing increasingly looked likely as the questions continued to come.
The questions kept coming, and without a parachute in sight, Hastie hurtled towards the ground.
The poor comparison comes just 13 months after Mr Fitzgibbons son, Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon, died in military parachute training.
His funeral was attended by several Labor bigwigs, including Anthony Albanese, Richard Marles and Mr Hastie.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton and Nationals head David Littleproud were also in attendance.
More to come...
Senior digital political correspondent Brett Worthington compared opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hasties (pictured) campaign to a fatal military parachute exercise
Former Labor defence minister, Joel Fitzgibbons son, Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon, died in military parachute training in March 2024