06/10/2026
Last night, ABC’s Four Corners published a story concerning veteran advocacy, support and service providers in Australia.
The ABC is absolutely entitled to investigate matters of legitimate public interest. Our complaint is not about its decision to investigate or report on those matters.
Our complaint is about its decision to use footage and clearly identifiable branding of the Veteran Games - an organisation that was not the subject of the allegations being investigated - in a context we believe was misleading, unnecessary and potentially damaging.
A few weeks ago, I was approached by the ABC journalist responsible for the story, requesting to film at the Veteran Games because our Presenting Sponsor was to feature in what was described to me as “a minor part” of the program.
Given my previous experiences with the ABC, I asked for clarity about the intended story, the relevance of the Veteran Games, and how any footage would be used. I also provided information to ensure the ABC understood exactly what the Veteran Games is, why it exists, and the impact it has achieved.
The ABC’s Four Corners ultimately did not attend our event.
Instead, Four Corners chose to use archival footage from our 2025 National Finals - including clearly identifiable Veteran Games branding - within the program.
The Veteran Games had nothing to do with the matters being investigated.
Nor did the program acknowledge the very real and significant support our Presenting Sponsor has provided to the Veteran Games, helping us deliver, develop and expand this veteran-led initiative over the past two years.
That positive context was provided directly to the ABC before broadcast.
So too was information explaining that the Veteran Games was specifically developed in response to findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Su***de - addressing the loss of purpose, community and identity experienced by many veterans following service.
None of that context made the program.
Instead, viewers were shown identifiable Veteran Games footage and branding without being told what the Veteran Games is, why it exists, the positive impact it is achieving, or the support that has helped make that impact possible.
Apparently, that context did not fit the narrative being presented.
The Veteran Games survives because of sponsorships, donations and, above all, the trust of the veteran community. Using our organisation and branding out of context therefore has the potential to cause very real reputational and financial harm to a veteran-led charity initiative.
We have now lodged the attached formal complaint with the ABC Ombudsman seeking answers, correction and appropriate public clarification.
The standard of journalism here was simply not good enough.
Sadly, after my previous experiences with the ABC, it is becoming increasingly difficult to say it was unexpected.
