The ABC’s Political Blind Spot: Soft on the Liberals, Hard on Labor

The ABC’s charter demands impartiality. The national broadcaster is meant to hold all politicians to account, regardless of which party is in power. But anyone who’s been paying attention can see a pattern emerging—Labor ministers get the full grilling, while Liberal ministers get away with PR-friendly talking points and minimal pushback.

At its best, the ABC has some of the toughest interviewers in Australian journalism. But when it comes to the Liberal-National Coalition, too many of them seem content to hit with a wet lettuce, while Labor ministers get bricks thrown at them.

The Prime Minister vs. the Opposition Leader

Let’s start with a case study. On February 7, 2025, Anthony Albanese sat down for an ABC Radio interview in Alice Springs. It didn’t take long before the host accused him of playing the underdog ahead of the election. The exchange grew so heated that 21 complaints were lodged against the broadcaster, with listeners calling out the aggressive tone of the questioning.

ABC management backed their presenter, insisting that it was a fair and tough interview. That’s fine—except when you compare it to how the same network treats Liberal leaders.

When Peter Dutton appeared on the ABC in Western Australia, the tone was noticeably softer. He was given free rein to attack the government with little resistance from the host. Even when journalists did push back, Liberal Senator Jane Hume rushed to his defence, accusing the ABC of being too activist.

The result? Albanese gets grilled, Dutton gets a courtesy chat. If this was a one-off, you could dismiss it as a coincidence. But it’s not.

The ABC and the Liberal Party: A Relationship of Convenience

The Liberals have spent years attacking the ABC. They’ve tried to defund it, delegitimise it, and pressure it into submission. And the strategy has worked.

The Morrison and Abbott governments slashed ABC funding, forcing cutbacks in investigative journalism and international coverage. The broadcaster, afraid of further budget reductions, began overcorrecting for any perceived bias.

Instead of standing firm, the ABC shifted from fearless watchdog to nervous self-censor—terrified of being accused of left-wing bias. That fear is why Labor politicians face harder interviews, while Liberals often get away with vague platitudes.

And it’s not just interviews. Take ABC panel shows like The Drum or Insiders. These programs should be platforms for robust political debate. Instead, they too often feature hand-picked right-wing commentators who frame discussions in a way that benefits the Coalition.

The LNP’s Real Strategy: Control the Narrative

The biggest irony? The Liberal Party doesn’t even need the ABC on its side. They already have Sky News, the Murdoch press, and shock jocks amplifying their message daily. But by bullying the ABC into playing it safe, they ensure the only major non-commercial broadcaster isn’t a threat.

This isn’t a conspiracy—it’s smart politics.

If a journalist challenges a Liberal minister too hard, they get accused of bias. If they challenge a Labor minister just as aggressively, they’re proving their neutrality. The ABC, caught in this political trap, has made a conscious decision to lean harder on Labor in order to keep the Liberals off their backs.

The ABC’s Role in Democracy

None of this means the ABC is outright favouring the Coalition. It still does vital investigative work. It still breaks stories that make both sides of politics uncomfortable. But it must do better when it comes to treating both major parties equally in day-to-day political coverage.

That means:

Holding Liberal ministers to the same scrutiny as Labor ministers.
Not backing down when the Coalition cries bias.
Recognising that the job of journalism is to challenge power, not accommodate it.

Australians deserve an independent, fearless public broadcaster. The ABC’s best reporters know that. The question is whether the people running the network do.

Breaking News

The Renewable Energy Debate: Facts vs. Liberal Party Fearmongering

A Decade of Deception: The Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Scandals

New Strike Team Targets Corruption and Crime as Border Force Officer Charged in Drug Smuggling Plot

Labor’s 2025 Budget: A Detailed Analysis and Comparison with Coalition’s Economic Management

Popular News

Medicare Under Siege: The Coalition’s Attacks vs. Labor’s Bulk Billing Boost

Peter Dutton’s Absence During Cyclone Alfred Raises Questions Amidst Local Leaders’ Commitment