Peter Costello has stepped down as chairman of 9 Leisure Co. days after he allegedly bumped right into a journalist at an airport and knocked him to the bottom.
9 chief government officer Mike Sneesby stated in an announcement launched on Sunday afternoon: ‘I need to thank Peter for his contribution to 9 over greater than a decade’.
‘Because the announcement makes clear, he has performed an vital position within the huge 9 milestones over that point – a interval marked by dramatic digital transformation for the media trade and our firm.’
Mr Costello, who was the Federal Treasurer within the Howard authorities and as soon as tipped as the following Prime Minister, was questioned by The Australian journalist Liam Mendes after arriving at Canberra Airport on Thursday afternoon.
The 66-year-old refused to reply a sequence of questions associated to a $1million payout made to the channel’s former information boss Darren Wick, who faces allegations of sexual harassment.
Mr Mendes launched himself to Mr Costello and questioned why the 9 boss hadn’t proven his help for the community’s chief government officer, Mike Sneesby.
Mr Sneesby has come underneath fireplace following experiences he accredited the massive payout to Mr Wick.
Only a minute after Mr Mendes started firing off questions, he gave the impression to be pushed to the bottom by Mr Costello.
9 chairman Peter Costello (pictured within the video was filmed showing to push over a journalist at Canberra Airport on Thursday
Mr Costello, 66, was questioned by The Australian journalist Liam Mendes (pictured) after arriving at Canberra Airport on Thursday afternoon
GoPro footage captured the second Mr Costello appeared to stumble upon Mr Mendes, knocking him to the bottom.
Mr Costello appeared to chortle earlier than leaving a flustered Mr Mendes to choose himself up.
The seemingly pissed off reporter continued to observe Mr Costello into the airport automotive park and accused him of ‘assault’.
‘Mr Costello, you possibly can’t do this, you possibly can’t do this, it is all captured on digital camera,’ Mr Mendes stated.
‘That was fairly violent behaviour Mr Costello. Journalists who work for 9 method individuals on this method day-after-day and also you attacked me simply then,’ he alleged.
‘They’re severe questions Mr Costello. You’ll be able to’t simply push somebody like that.
‘Is that behaviour actually acceptable to a journalist who’s working?’
On Thursday night exterior Parliament Home, Mr Costello denied he had pushed the journalist.
‘There isn’t a assault,’ Mr Costello stated.
‘I didn’t lay a finger or a fist or anything on him.’
Mr Costello stated Mr Mendes was strolling backwards whereas filming and tripped over an promoting placard.
‘I’ve seen it occur 1,000,000 instances … reporters again into the bollards and fall over,’ he stated.
‘I didn’t strike him.’
Mr Costello additionally denied that viewers of the footage would describe him as being aggressive.
Earlier than Mr Costello appeared to push Mr Mendes over he had requested the 9 Chairman: ‘Do you help Mr Sneesby as CEO and his dealing with of the Darren Wick saga?’
Mr Wick, the previous head of 9 Information, was the topic of great misconduct accusations shortly previous to his resignation from the corporate in March.
It is understood each Mr Costello and Mr Sneesby had been conscious of the allegations on the time of Mr Wick’s resignation.
Mr Sneesby has since confronted criticism for approving Mr Wick’s $1million monetary settlement, which included a payout and depart entitlements.
It is understood Mr Costello was unaware of the payout till after Mr Sneesby accredited it and has not since publicly supported the CEO.
Mr Costello signed a letter to all 9 workers final Thursday, obtained by the ABC, which acknowledged the ‘severe’ claims in opposition to Mr Wick.
The journalist had launched himself to Costello (pictured) and started questioning why the 9 boss hadn’t present his help for the community’s chief government officer, Mike Sneesby
‘We recognise we have to do extra,’ the letter learn.
All 9 workers might be required to finish refreshed sexual harassment prevention coaching by June 30.
It is understood Mr Costello was in Canberra on Thursday for the opening of 9’s new workplace in Parliament Home.
