Mr Bailey stood as a candidate for the Australian Conservatives party in the recent by-election in the Victorian seat of Batman.
In a sketch for the ABC TV program Tonightly with Tom Ballard, comedian Greg Larsen described Mr Bailey using an offensive four-letter word, with an accompanying image displaying a satirical campaign poster containing the phrase “Kevin Bailey is a c—t”.
In response, Minister for Communications and the Arts Mitch Fifield issued a statement calling out the ABC’s editorial decision-making and demanding that the public broadcaster apologise to Mr Bailey.
“Candidates for elected office expect to be criticised and parodied. But this ABC segment clearly crossed a line, particularly given that it was directed towards an individual who has served his nation in uniform,” Senator Fifield said.
“Vitriolic abuse of this kind has no place on the national broadcaster and I will be asking the ABC to investigate. The ABC should also immediately offer an unreserved apology to Mr Bailey.”
Australian Conservatives leader Cory Bernardi also issued a statement saying the attack goes “far beyond satire” and that the segment was “completely unacceptable”.
Mr Bailey founded The Money Managers in 1996, which was one of the founding firms of the Shadforth Financial Group, subsequently acquired by IOOF in 2014.
He is also a former director of the FPA, a Future2 ambassador and holder of the Certified Financial Planner designation, and has previously written for ifa on the topic of philanthropy.
Senator Bernardi has previously told ifa he sees financial advisers as a natural ally for the Australian Conservatives party and supports deregulation of the sector.
An edited version of the controversial image aired by ABC TV is below:
Source: ABC TV via Pedestrian
He was my financial adviser, once upon a time, in the Monitor Money days. I have a better one now.
Tom Ballard is one of the smartest, funniest people on TV today…but using the C word was perhaps a stretch further than necessary, although Bernardi and his ilk deserve whatever comes their way
Never even heard of the show. Quite pathetic really. Bernardi unethical? Someone that stands up for what they believe in rather than toeing a party line they don’t agree with.
Why is this news?
What a disgraceful comment to make. The ABC should act immediately to sever any relationship with Greg Larsen for 5 years. Candidates should expect robust commentary and indeed some parody. This is an extremely poor attempt to vilify a person on political grounds. Apparently Larsen isn’t clever enough to parody or argue against Kevin Bailey’s political views without resorting to the sewer. The “c” word is seen as the worst of bad language to call someone. It is deeply offensive to a feminist for this word to be used at all. Larsen should have his mouth washed out with soap – preferably Solvol. Then he can return to the swamp he’s emerged from. Hang your head in shame Tom Ballard.
What have you against Corey Bernardi?
Don’t know anything about the guy or the context of the segment, but the fact that he is in same party as Cory Bernadi means that the comedian’s character assessment is probably spot on.
Well, as the old saying goes…”It takes one to know one!”, The ABC is full of left wing, socialist, PC-mad C***S!
Good on Tonightly for calling it as it is. Shows poor form to link up with an unethical person like bernardi
The show has to do something to get viewers.