AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD:

Controversy has erupted over The Bug’s prestigious Australian of the Year (AOTY) Award just days after nominations opened for the 2024 honour with questions being asked about the eligibility of one of News Crap Australia’s best known Righters.

Chair of the judging panel, The Bug’s finance and investment advice columnist Morrie Bezzle, (below) initially refused to provide details of the complaint received on Boxing Day, explaining that he was indisposed over the festive season and unavailable to answer reporters’ questions.

However, he later advised that following discussions he held with staff at the Arthur Gorrie Remand Centre near Ipswich, he was able to conduct a short online news conference.

During the online meeting Mr Bezzle confirmed that a complaint had been lodged with the AOTY judging panel soon after the first nominations were received.

“I would not usually comment on individual nominations but because an objection was lodged with the award judges concerning one specific high-profile nominee, I will make an exception,” he said.

Mr Bezzle then revealed that the complaint concerned the nomination of Sky News “after dark” commentator Peta Credlin. (main picture)

“The gist of the complaint was that Ms Credlin is not an Australian,” Mr Bezzle said.

“The complainant alleged that Ms Credlin was in fact North Korean and therefore ineligible for the Australian of the Year Award.

“The basis of the complaint was Ms Credlin’s appearances on Sky News and her Rightings in The Australian and elsewhere across the Murdoch media network.

“After a short investigation the judging panel is satisfied that there are no grounds for the complaint and that Ms Credlin is an Australian and is eligible to be nominated for the award whose winner will be announced on Australinvasion Day on 26 January 2025.

“It is believed the complainant lodge the objection after confusing Ms Credlin with the famous North Korean newsreader Ri Chun-hee. (below)

“Judges believe the complainant mistakenly believed Ms Credlin was Ri because both have a strident one-party propagandist style as well as Ms Credlin’s habit of referring to former prime minister John Howard as the Great Leader, calling former PM Tony Abbott the Dear Leader, and applying the description Supreme Leader to Peter Dutton whenever she mentioned any of the three Liberal Party luminaries.

“I’m glad we’ve been able to clear this matter up,” Mr Bezzle said.

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