Australia\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s 6PR radio host Howard Sattler (R) interviews Prime Minister Julia Gillard a the studio on June 13, 2013.<\/p>\n
Prominent Australian radio host Howard Sattler has been sacked for asking Prime Minister Julia Gillard a personal question about her partner Tim Mathieson.\n<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Howard Sattler – a longtime host of an evening show on the 6PR radio station in Perth – posed the question after challenging Gillard to answer a series of rumors and myths.\n<\/p>\n
He argued that Mathieson must be a homosexual because he is a hairdresser.\n<\/p>\n
Gillard described the proposition as silly and absurd. \u00c5\u201cOh, isn’t that…,\u201d she said.\n<\/p>\n
But Sattler persisted and said, \u00c5\u201cBut you’ve heard it? It’s not me saying it. It’s what people…\u201d\n<\/p>\n
On Friday, the management of the Fairfax radio – a well-known Australian radio network and owner of the 6PR radio station – first suspended Sattler from broadcasting pending an internal inquiry, before 6PR General Manager Martin Boylen announced on air that he had been fired.\n<\/p>\n
“In the wake of yesterday’s interview, radio 6PR suspended Sattler from broadcasting, pending a review of the matter today,” he said, adding, “The station has now decided to terminate Sattler’s engagement, effective immediately.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The 6PR radio station also issued an apology for allowing personal questions about Gillard\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s partner to be raised by Sattler on his program.<\/p>\n
“Radio 6PR apologizes unreservedly to Miss Gillard and Mr. Mathieson for allowing these matters to be raised on the Drive program,” a statement from Boylan said.\n<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Sattler intends to take legal action against Fairfax.\n<\/p>\n
He said he had six months left on his two-year contract, and is “staggered” and “flabbergasted” at how events have unfolded since the interview.\n<\/p>\n
Sattler said there were other factors at play in his sacking.\n<\/p>\n
“I believe that the reason given is not the only reason for this happening. It is unjustified and in my belief it is possibly unlawful what they’ve done,” he said.\n<\/p>\n
Gillard has been the subject of mounting personal attacks, with her Labor Party far behind in the polls ahead of the September 14 elections.\n<\/p>\n
MP\/SS<\/p>\n<\/div>\n