Country Labor candidate for the federal seat of Parkes Jack Ayoub said he requested to be interviewed on Mr Saunders’ show but was refused.

The NSW Labor Party will write to the ABC and call for a thorough review by ABC Western Plains of editorial decisions made by Mr Saunders in the last 12 months. 

Mr Saunders is on leave from the ABC and was the long-term host of the ABC Western Plains morning show.

Mr Ayoub said Mr Saunders and the ABC have some explaining to do.

“When the ALP announced me as the Parkes candidate in May I telephoned Mr Saunders, who was then the host of the only show produced out of the Dubbo office of the ABC,” he said.

“I did so as I had been reliably informed that every newly announced major party candidate invariably is interviewed on the morning show.

“Much to my surprise Mr Saunders wished me well but told me he didn’t have much time for “that kind of thing” at the moment. Given my surprise, I asked a few other journalists including some employed by the ABC, whether one might typically except an interview in those circumstances. The unanimous view was one of surprise and disgust that the local ABC would not interview a newly pre-selected major party candidate.”

The National Party candidate referred the Daily Liberal’s questions directly to the ABC.

ABC Regional Editor NSW Patrick Emmett said the presenter is not solely responsible for editorial decisions.

“The editorial process is overseen by the ABC bureau’s chief of staff working with the presenter and the program’s producer,” he said. 

“All interviews are judged on their merit and relevancy to the bureau’s audience.  The ABC conducts regular interviews with all members of government at the local, state and federal level.  All political parties represented in our Western Plains broadcast area - which incorporates two state seats and one federal seat – are regularly in our story line-ups, either on their editorial merit or to provide a balance when required.”

Mr Ayoub said he believes Mr Saunders’ National Party bias was the reason he was refused an interview on the morning show.

“I am calling on the ABC to correct this erroneous decision and to interview me on the morning show,” he said. “It is, after all, the voters who will decide the election and who need to be informed of who the candidates are and what they stand for.”