Peter Costello: Embattled Nine boss resigns days after shirt-fronting journalist at airport

Former Federal treasurer Peter Costello has quit as chairman of Nine Entertainment after days of controversy over an airport altercation with a journalist.

The stock market-listed Nine, owner of the Channel Nine television network and radio stations including Perth’s 6PR, said on Sunday Mr Costello had stepped down from its board and had been succeeded as chair by his deputy Catherine West.

His resignation came after a long meeting of Nine directors on Friday night discussed his run-in with a reporter from The Australian at Canberra Airport on Thursday.

Video appeared to show the journalist, Liam Mendes, falling to the ground after being shouldered by Mr Costello while asking him questions about the sexual harassment and bullying scandals plaguing Nine.

Nine’s announcement of the resignation did not reference the fracas, which was filmed by Mr Mendes. However, it said, “the board recognises action and accountability are required to maintain trust.”

A Treasurer under John Howard and the chairman of Nine since 2016, Mr Costello denied he had made contact with Mr Mendes, saying the journalist was walking backwards in front of him when he fell over an advertising board.

Mr Costello and chief executive Mike Sneesby have been under intense pressure over Nine’s handling of the departure of television news boss Darren Wick.

Mr Wick stepped down in March with a payout, but allegations of inappropriate behaviour targeting female staff at functions including Christmas parties, have since emerged.

The company has launched a review of the culture in its TV newsrooms.

In a separate statement shared with staff on Sunday by Mr Sneesby, Mr Costello said a new chair was needed at Nine “to unite them around a fresh vision and someone with the energy to lead to that vision for the next decade”.

“The new chair will require full support from all directors as this is an industry where there is fierce rivalry. I do not rate the attacks of a commercial rival,” he said.

Ms West, a former lawyer with British broadcaster Sky, thanked Mr Costello for his service while acknowledging the past few weeks had been “extremely difficult and destabilising”.

“We are committed to ensuring, through our cultural review and other actions announced last week, that issues will be appropriately addressed,” Ms West said.

“The board and management are united in focusing on the well-being of our people (and) acknowledge their responsibility to ensure all parts of our business, including our newsrooms, feel supported.

“We want to ensure our people can feel proud of our company and colleagues and the work they do.”

Nine’s TV newsroom review is being handled by an outside firm. Its report will include advice on how the company could better handle workplace complaints in the future.

At the end of May, Mr Sneesby acknowledged “the distress and frustration” the reports of Mr Wick’s alleged misconduct had caused.

“I believe we have taken positive steps in recent years at Nine to improve our culture … but the recent reports that detail alleged serious failings of leadership in television news clearly tells me more work needs to be done to ensure we have a safe and inclusive workplace throughout Nine.”