Adjudication No. 1314 (adjudicated March 2006) [2006] APC 8

Adjudication No. 1314 (adjudciated March 2006)

The Australian Press Council has dismissed a complaint from James Page, against The Australian regarding an item in the "Strewth!" column on 10 August 2005.

The item, under the heading Numbers up for Dems, is concerned with the re-election of Senator Paul Calvert to the position of Senate President, and made comment on how Democrat Andrew Murray voted on the position.

Mr Page contacted The Australian with his concerns which centre on the headline, seeking publication of a letter. He believes that the item unfairly attacks the Democrats on the basis of Senator Murray's vote.

The item appears in a column which, in Mr Page's own words, is 'intended to be light-hearted'. The items and headlines are often meant to be tongue in cheek.

In the Council's view, there was no breach of its principles.