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    Domestic violence comments on fishing show breached classification rules

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    By Rudi Maxwell

    Copyright abc

    Domestic violence comments on fishing show breached classification rules

    Disturbing’ comments about violence against women made during a PG-rated fishing program on Channel Seven breached classification rules, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found.

    The ACMA investigation found that the comments, made during an episode of Step Outside with Paul Burt broadcast on 7mate in March 2025, breached the commercial television industry code of practice classification rules for PG content, which require themes of domestic conflict to be handled with care.

    The program included an outdoor cooking segment in which presenter Paul Burt assisted guest ‘Bush Cook Ranger Nick’, whose real name is Nicholas Small, to demonstrate how to cook battered field mushrooms.

    As Ranger Nick handed Mr Burt a bowl of eggs and a fork, he said:

    “That’s your job Pauly, you mix that up, give that a good beating, like you do with your missus. You don’t beat your missus do you?”

    And then followed up with:

    “Mine always likes, every now and then I just find I’ve gotta tie her to a tree and flog her with wire, you know?”

    Mr Burt responded by saying: “No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, oh my God”.

    Not suitable for a PG rating

    ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the regulator did not consider the remarks dealing with a domestic conflict theme were suitable for an audience expecting to watch a light entertainment PG-rated program.

    “These were disturbing comments,” she said.

    “They may have been intended as a crude attempt at humour, but they were totally unacceptable.

    “Viewers were not warned at the outset that the program contained such themes and Channel Seven should have taken greater care in handling this sensitive and serious issue.”

    Following a complaint about the program, Channel Seven issued a public apology and removed the program from 7mate and 7plus.

    Channel Seven told ACMA that it relied on assurances from the company that produced the program that the episode would comply with the classification code.

    But ACMA said it does not consider that licensees can contract out their obligations to ensure that the content they broadcast is compliant.

    ACMA said it is considering appropriate enforcement action.

    Mr Small has been contacted for comment.

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