Tony Abbott Says The ABC Is "Out Of Control" Over Anal Tweet

    ABC managing director has texted the the PM to apologise.

    Alex Lee
    by Alex Lee

    BuzzFeed News Reporter, Australia

    Update

    The broadcaster has contacted the PM to apologise, and promised to not show the tweet in any repeats of Q&A.

    "Q&A has apologised to the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, this morning," a spokesperson said.

    "This particular tweet should not have been published and the ABC regrets any offence caused."

    ABC managing director Mark Scott sent the PM a text to apologise last night, but Tony Abbott told reporters that he'd been too busy to respond.

    ABC News 24

    "Look, I haven't had a chance to respond to the text message that I had, because it's been a very busy morning," he said.

    "I just hope that the ABC management get on and do what they said they were going to do with that program.

    "I think it is a bit out of control and I think it's important for the ABC not just to talk about tighter management structures, tighter management control on that particular program, but actually do it."

    In the wake of the Zaky Mallah scandal, things had just started returning to normal at Q&A. The government was even letting its ministers back on the show. Nationally adored columnist Annabel Crabb was on the panel...

    ABC / Via Twitter: @nickrippon

    ...And they were showing witty and insightful tweets on screen from viewers watching at home.

    ABC / Via Twitter: @nickrippon

    All was well.

    Wait, what?

    ABC

    People could hardly believe what they just saw.

    Linley Jane @Lone_Deranger_

    ABBOTT LOVES ANAL? #QandaA

    Reply Retweet Favorite

    DID OUR EYES DECEIVE US?

    Daile @dailebree

    Twitter user 'AbbottLovesAnal' gets an onscreen tweet tonight. I AM DEAD. #qanda

    Reply Retweet Favorite

    Nobody could agree on how to feel about it. It was either the best thing ever...

    Jessica Wheelock @Jessicawheelock

    . @AbbottLovesAnal is the best phrase I've seen on my TV today #QandA

    Reply Retweet Favorite

    ...Or the worst.

    Angela Mary Claire @AngeMaryClaire

    Half my feed is people giggling about #abbottlovesanal and the other half is offended that people are giggling about #abbottlovesanal.

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    Liberal MP Fiona Scott was the first politician to react, calling it "disgraceful", and tweeted a helpful screenshot of the offending tweet just in case anyone missed it.

    Fiona Scott @FionaScottMP

    What a disgraceful Twitter handle for @QandA to broadcast! #auspol

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    Nobody could figure out how the ABC let this happen, or if they had given up and were just being massive trolls.

    Patrick Avenell @Patrickavenell

    Srsly guys, don't you want to stay on the air??? #qanda

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    And just when it couldn't get any better/worse, Zaky Mallah weighed in!

    Zaky Mallah @ZakyMallah

    The 'Abbott Loves Anal' account is a friend of mine. I never thought he will make it after my fiasco loll. Great work mate. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

    Reply Retweet Favorite

    And now, this is happening.

    Trends Australia @TrendsAustralia

    #abbottlovesanal is now trending in Australia http://t.co/giFpgT62Zv

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    We'll let @AbbottLovesAnal have the final word with this oddly prescient tweet from last week:

    Gregg Schurch @AbbottLovesAnal

    This country deserves a higher class of political scandal #qanda

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