ABC journalists booted from One Nation event on eve of crucial byelection

In a vision captured by 9News, a One Nation volunteer is seen telling two local ABC journalists to leave shortly before the event was due to start.

One of the ABC workers can be heard asking whether One Nation candidate David Farley had ordered their removal, to which the staffer replied: “It doesn’t matter, come on… honey, please,” as he led the pair to the exit.

You can hear one of the ABC reporters say, “we are a tax-funded organization.”

The Nation’s chief of staff, James Ashby, was also seen steering reporters out of the event and saying “bye to the ABC” before following the pair to the exit.

Ashby then said he was the one who ordered the reporters’ removal and told them to ask their chief of staff in Canberra about the reason.

They responded by saying they are based in Wodonga, which borders Albury in the Farrer electorate.

“We serve the local community,” said one reporter

After the ABC reporters left, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson questioned Ashby about their removal.

‘Why, if it’s a local ABC? Nationally and regionally?’ she asked.

“Because they report to ABC Canberra,” Ashby replied.

Hanson appeared to say “they shouldn’t have left” before walking away.

The Farrer by-election will take place tomorrow and One Nation is considered the front-runner to take over the coalition’s regional NSW seat following the resignation of former opposition leader Sussan Ley, who held the electorate from 2001.

Both the Liberals and Nationals are fielding candidates, while independent Michelle Milthorpe is also a major challenger, having significantly cut into Ley’s margin at the last federal election.

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