The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has come under criticism from multiple political figures, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and One Nation, highlighting escalating tensions between the national broadcaster and political parties.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Albanese publicly criticized the ABC for its handling of a $6.05 million taxpayer grant awarded to Marrickville Golf Club. The club had granted Albanese honorary membership, a detail that has raised questions given it was not disclosed on his parliamentary register of interests. Albanese accused the ABC of selectively withholding information provided to it regarding the grant and its associated circumstances.

“The ABC were told information they chose not to publish appropriately,” Albanese said, adding, “But I make no apologies for the fact that this was fixed ... the ABC should do better.” He defended the grant, emphasizing that the funding aimed to address flooding, environmental, and infrastructure challenges affecting the Cooks River area.

The Prime Minister’s comments arrive amid scrutiny over the transparency and reporting practices concerning the grant and his association with the Marrickville Golf Club.

Meanwhile, One Nation has intensified its adversarial stance toward the ABC, following recent disputes over the broadcaster’s coverage of the party. On Tuesday, One Nation’s national director, James Ashby, expelled ABC and Guardian journalists, along with a camera crew, from a press conference held to respond to reports on the past drug use of the party’s Victorian leader, Warren Pickering. Footage showed Ashby gesturing towards the exit as media personnel were asked to leave.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has previously threatened to exclude the ABC from her election campaign, unless the broadcaster demonstrated fairness in its reporting. She accused the ABC of persistent political bias by asserting, “From its chairman down, the ABC has proven itself to be completely in denial about its profoundly transparent political bias and the activists in its ranks.”

The recent incidents reflect a growing confrontation between Australia's public broadcaster and political actors, raising broader questions about media impartiality, political transparency, and access for journalists covering contentious political developments.