Former AFL great Sam Newman has taken aim at the ABC over a controversial parody involving mining billionaire Gina Rinehart, questioning why the national broadcaster has not issued an apology.Newman criticised the ABC’s handling of the fallout from the sketch, which aired during the Race Around the World program on July 12 and featured a fictional, violent depiction involving the Hancock Prospecting boss.The segment, titled A Very Relaxing Video, included crude remarks about Mrs Rinehart and prompted widespread backlash, with her company threatening legal action against the broadcaster.Speaking publicly about the controversy, Newman compared the response to the treatment of other public figures who have faced consequences over offensive comments or jokes.He argued there appeared to be an uneven standard when it came to scrutiny of public figures and media personalities.’There are a few of us out there who put the beer in the wrong esky and it gets reported on,’ Newman said on his You Cannot Be Serious podcast. Sam Newman has slammed the ABC over its handling of the controversial Gina Rinehart parody Gina Rinehart’s company Hancock Prospecting has threatened legal action against the ABC The film (above) went into detail about graphically assaulting the mining magnate with a stick to ‘make one big sausage roll”It gets overexaggerated. It gets blown out of all proportion and they want to talk about it for weeks.’There are others who seem to miss out on that scrutiny because of whatever side they sit on.’Newman said the issue came down to fairness, regardless of whether the controversy involved sport, politics, the law or the media.’I think all anyone wants, whether you’re watching a sport that’s being refereed or umpired, whether it’s politics, the law, no matter what it is, is an even playing field,’ he said.’It should be an even playing field, should it not?’Mrs Rinehart’s company Hancock Prospecting has sent legal correspondence to ABC chair Kim Williams, deputy chair Lisa Caffery and managing director Hugh Marks, alleging serious civil and criminal law breaches arising from the broadcast and continued publication of the material.The ABC confirmed it had received the letters and said it would respond in due course.’The ABC has received correspondence from lawyers acting for Mrs Rinehart and will respond to it in due course,’ a spokesperson said. Communications Minister Anika Wells (above) described the film as ‘unacceptable”The ABC Ombudsman is independently reviewing audience complaints in relation to the 12 July Race Around the World episode in accordance with the ABC’s complaints handling process.’The filmmaker behind the sketch, Kate McGuinness, later apologised and said the segment was intended as satire.’The sense of humour featured in each of my films on the Race Around The World program is farcical,’ she said.’In no way was it my intention to promote violence. My writing is cartoonish and always satirical. Unfortunately, jokes do not land with everyone. Its purpose was never to be taken literally. I apologise to anyone I’ve offended.’The controversy has also drawn criticism from other high-profile Australians, including Olympic legend Dawn Fraser, who accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of failing to condemn the segment.Albanese has not publicly commented on the controversy.The ABC has said it will not make further comment while the review is underway.