Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Alex Mitchell

Costello quits as Nine boss after clash with journalist

Former treasurer Peter Costello has stepped down as chairman of media company Nine Entertainment. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

Peter Costello has resigned as chair of Nine Entertainment, days after being accused of bumping into a journalist at Canberra's airport.

The media company's newspapers reported the former treasurer's departure on Sunday, with current deputy chair Catherine West stepping into the main role.

Mr Costello tangled with The Australian reporter Liam Mendes at Canberra Airport on Thursday, with video appearing to show him knocking over the journalist after being confronted with questions about harassment allegations at Nine.

The former Liberal treasurer has denied assaulting the journalist and said Mr Mendes tripped over an advertising placard, and was not pushed over.

Still image from a video of Peter Costello
Video footage appears to show Peter Costello and a reporter making physical contact at an airport. (HANDOUT/ABC NEWS)

Nine's board was already set to meet on Friday before the incident, but its agenda was updated to include the incident involving Mr Costello.

"I thank the board for their support over the last decade and particularly during the events of the last few weeks," Mr Costello said in a statement.

"There are enormous challenges ahead but I believe Nine is the best placed Australian media company to weather them and prosper."

In a video published by The Australian, Mendes follows Mr Costello through the airport as he asks about Nine chief executive Mike Sneesby.

But he denied striking the reporter later on Thursday.

"I walked past him, he walked back into an advertising placard and he fell over," Mr Costello said.

"I did not strike him ... if he's upset about that, I'm sorry, but I did not strike him."

Mr Costello appears to walk towards the reporter at one point before the journalist falls backwards.

"You have just assaulted me," Mendes says in the video.

Peter Costello and Mike Sneesby
Peter Costello's departure comes as Nine deals with allegations of sexual harassment at the company. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Nine has been embroiled in scandal across the last few weeks, dealing with sexual harassment allegations within the organisation.

Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers criticised Mr Costello over his treatment of Mr Mendes.

He did not offer him assistance after he was knocked over.

"It's really important that we treat journalists with respect, that journalists are safe in their workplace," Dr Chalmers said.

"And if anyone should know that, it should be the chairman of a major media organisation."

Ms West thanked the outgoing chairman for his "dedication and commitment" to the company.

"As chairman, he has always put the needs of the company first and his decision to stand down and pass on the baton of leading Nine at this time is in line with that approach."

Mr Costello had been chairman since 2016.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.