ABC Apologizes After Claudia Long Fabricates False Claims About Two High-Profile Politicians

The ABC has offered a humble apology following an erroneous accusation made by one of its reporters who falsely implicated two Nationals MPs for neglecting their constituencies during critical times when people are facing life-threatening situations.

Claudia Long, the political correspondent for the national broadcaster, stated on "Insiders" last Sunday that National Party members of parliament were absent from their constituencies when the decision was made to dissolve the Coalition.

"I believe another crucial aspect for regional areas is having a local representative present during times of crisis, such as floods where lives are lost—this situation occurred earlier this week," she explained to the show.

Long particularly mentioned two individuals who perished in the flooding waters within Alison Penfold's potential electorate of Lyne on the Mid-North Coast. Additionally, he pointed out another fatality in Pat Conaghan’s constituency of Cowper, where a woman drowned inside her vehicle.

'I believe the crucial aspect is that even when you're in opposition, it remains your duty as a local member to represent your community and be accessible to them,' she emphasized.

Penfold and Conaghan both provided hands-on assistance in their communities during the floods.

Following this, the ABC issued a complete apology to the MPs and took down the segment from the on-demand version of the show.

'On the Insiders episode broadcast on 25 May an ABC panellist made comments inferring two Nationals MPs, Alison Penfold and Pat Conaghan, were not in their electorates during the recent NSW floods,' an ABC spokesperson said.

'The ABC wishes to clarify that both Penfold and Conaghan spent the week in their electorates and sincerely apologises for the error.'

Penfold accused the ABC reporter of 'playing politics with this disaster'.

'I have been in my electorate working to support people affected from the Hastings to the Hunter,' Penfold told the Daily Telegraph .

'What has occurred today is yet another example of the ABC’s loss of all objectivity and balance in its reporting.'

Conaghan mentioned that he has been assisting with activities and participating in several daily briefings.

"The ABC can express their opinions freely. However, they wouldn't recognize hardship even if it were to slap them in the face," he stated to the newspaper.

There have been five deaths and an estimated 10,000 properties damaged during the flooding across NSW.

"We would have seen hundreds of fatalities without the bravery and courage shown by emergency services personnel over the past 72 hours," stated NSW Premier Chris Minns.

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