The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has issued a correction after failing to disclose the roles of Arthur Sinodinos and Joel Fitzgibbon as co-chairs of the AUKUS Forum during interviews on its program, Afternoon Briefing. The oversight was noted during discussions on the AUKUS defense pact, a significant trilateral security agreement between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
On June 12, Patricia Karvelas concluded an interview with Sinodinos, identifying him solely as Australia’s former ambassador to the United States. However, she omitted his position as co-chair of the AUKUS Forum advisory board. Similarly, a June 2 interview with Fitzgibbon, a former defense minister, did not mention his identical role at the Forum.
ABC’s Acknowledgment and Viewer Reaction
Following viewer feedback, the ABC released a statement acknowledging the error. The correction read, “Afternoon Briefing: June 2 and June 12 Afternoon Briefing interviewed Joel Fitzgibbon and Arthur Sinodinos respectively on issues related to the AUKUS submarine contract with the USA and United Kingdom. The programs failed to reveal that they are the co-chairs of the AUKUS Forum Advisory Board, a body that represents industries and companies seeking to participate in the program.”
“Joel and I are unpaid,” Sinodinos told Crikey. “The forum brings together industry and local government [stakeholders] interested in being part of AUKUS, but we do not lobby for individual companies or have any financial interest in them.”
The AUKUS Forum: A Not-for-Profit Initiative
The AUKUS Forum, registered as a not-for-profit organization, aims to leverage the opportunities presented by the AUKUS defense pact. It focuses on fostering collaboration between businesses and researchers to capitalize on the agreement’s second pillar, which involves technology and information sharing among the three nations.
According to Crikey, the Forum’s investors are particularly interested in this second pillar, which encompasses eight research areas: undersea capabilities, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, advanced cyber capabilities, hypersonic capabilities, electronic warfare, innovation, and information sharing. These areas are crucial for dismantling trade barriers and enhancing technological cooperation.
Local Impact and Global Ambitions
The AUKUS Forum has already made strides in forming partnerships, such as its collaboration with Banana Shire Council in Queensland. This initiative aims to highlight Queensland’s regional manufacturing and industrial capabilities on a global scale, reaching AUKUS partners in the United States and United Kingdom to drive innovation, investment, and economic growth in the region.
Documents from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission confirm the Forum’s not-for-profit status, having been registered in Tuggerah on the New South Wales Central Coast in April of the previous year.
Media Oversight and Broader Implications
The ABC is not alone in this oversight. Other major news outlets, including Sky News Australia, Seven News, and The Australian Financial Review, have similarly neglected to mention the involvement of Sinodinos and Fitzgibbon with the AUKUS Forum in their coverage.
This development raises questions about media transparency and the importance of disclosing potential conflicts of interest, especially in discussions involving significant national security agreements like AUKUS. As the pact evolves, the roles of individuals and organizations involved in its implementation will likely come under increased scrutiny.
Moving forward, it remains to be seen how media outlets will address such omissions and whether additional disclosures will be made to ensure comprehensive and transparent reporting on the AUKUS agreement and its associated entities.
