Don Burke - another accused abuser of women

[imastawka]

For almost two decades Don Burke was one of the most powerful men in Australia's entertainment industry. His popular gardening program Burke's Backyard was a ratings juggernaut for the Nine Network until it was unceremoniously axed in 2004.

But now a major Fairfax Media/ABC investigation can reveal that behind the scenes those who worked with Burke claim he was a "psychotic bully", a "misogynist" and a "sexual predator" who indecently assaulted, sexually harassed and bullied a string of female employees.

"He was a vile, vile human being," said Bridget Ninness, a former producer on Burke's Backyard, who later launched legal action against Burke for psychological abuse. "He was lewd and he was crude" and his constant talk of sex was "designed to confront you and to demean you", she said.

Louise Langdon, a former researcher, was subjected to ongoing harassment by Burke which included trying to remove her top, and on another occasion Burke "put his foot into my rear end, with the view to checking the tone of my ... my backside". He then stated that the firmness of her "backside" wasn't "up to scratch".

"I loathed him, he was just a pig. He was lecherous and sinister," said another former researcher who alleges she was indecently assaulted by Burke.

Even David Leckie, the former chief executive of the Nine Network, said he wasn't surprised to receive our call about Burke. "I've been trying to think of Harvey Weinstein-type people [in Australia] and the only one I can ever come up with is Burke. He was a horrible, horrible man," he said.

Unlike Weinstein, Burke is not accused of rape, but the more than 50 people interviewed during this investigation have made serious allegations about Burke's actions.

"Don Burke was a disgrace because of his behaviour internally and externally," said Sam Chisholm, Leckie's predecessor at Nine.

More here -

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/a-high-grade-twisted-abuser-don-burke-a-sexual-harasser-and...

[kopenhagen5]

One suggestion I can make simply involves getting the truth to the right person and in a manner deemed desperate without implicating anyone.

Have a friend, not known to anyone at the business ask for a meeting with a senior manager.

The friend (anonymously) present a please listen to this message. (face to face)

Many workers in production are not comfortable, have been bullied by PM's, don't feel able to speak up and have resorted to a messenger coming in to inform senior managers of an ongoing problem.

This is not intended to target anyone in particular but simply to improve working conditions for all within the company.

Please ask staff how they feel and make them comfortable to give the truth.

Dealing with hidden issues will in the long term present a more productive and happy work force.

Along those lines, I'm sure you get the idea.

[not_for_sale2025]

I do get it, thanks.

[azureline**]

So, we have a possible crime, something that happened 20 years ago, do we notify the press or do we go to the police?

[givemeaspell]

In my last workplace there was a manager who constantly berated her staff so everyone in ear shot could hear. I would cringe when I heard this and brought it up in a staff meeting ( this person was not in my dept). My manager told me he agreed and it's appalling behaviour but unless she does it to me then just ignore it. One time a staff member left at lunch time and called the HR mgr saying she would not be returning as she has been abused to the point she became very fragile. Myself and another staff member complained to HR and the wheels were in motion to address the manager. However the other workers were too scared to speak up so nothing was done, one was a single mother who needed her job. It was so sad to see their fear of this woman (yes this bully was a woman). I saw three staff members bullied to the point of resignation in 12 months. I think if they all stuck together then the manager may have been removed. It must be horrible to feel that fear in your workplace.

[givemeaspell]

Azure this behaviour is not always a criminal offence,

[twyngwyn]

I don't understand why they won't talk to their union. Just because you speak to the union, doesn't mean they will necessarily take action....they can give the workers options & advice only.

But of course, they will speak on the worker's behalf if the worker asks them to 

[not_for_sale2025]

Twyngwyn, this issue is involving professionals in a specialist discipline. Taking industrial action before approaching senior management could turn management against the staff. This is somewhat absurd because it is clear to everyone that senior management has been aware of the person's conduct for some time. I don't know if anybody has approached their union for advice. I'm sure they would keep that to themselves. But if they have, it hasn't helped because the line manager hasn't changed. It may become an industrial issue, but I hope it can all be resolved professionally and without civil action. These issues are complex. Goodness knows what it must have been like for those people we are reading about who had to worry about the media, their reputations and careers.

[twyngwyn]

can I pm you?

[not_for_sale2025]

Sure twyngwyn.

[performance_parts_clearance_centre]

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@azureline** wrote:

So, we have a possible crime, something that happened 20 years ago, do we notify the press or do we go to the police?

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Depends on the crime - for some, there's a limited period in which the report can be made.

But, you'd definitely go to the police first - and allow time for a response of some sort. Going to the the media first always raises doubts about motives, truthfulness, etc.

Over and above that, the media don't have the power to arrest, lay charges, etc. The police do. Even once a media frenzy has been whipped up, there still has to be a police investigation - best to just cut out the middleman and go to them first. Easy enough to go to the media if the police response is unsatisfactory...