A controversial star advertiser has been buried by the Australian Electoral Commission after a review into its use of a political advertisement.
The ABC’s Newsnight program, which was aired on Saturday night, said that Adria Richards, a conservative political commentator, died from cancer last week.
The ad for the film, titled Dangerous, was seen by more than a million viewers, the ABC reported.
Ms Richards died on Saturday after a battle with cancer, the program said.
“Adria Richards died from a rare form of cancer,” the ad read.
“It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Adria.”
The ad was seen more than 12 million times in the first two days after it aired, the show said.
It did not specify how many viewers had seen the ad, but it said the ad was viewed more than two million times on ABC News.
The program said the ABC was investigating whether the ad had been used in a way that was inappropriate or was in breach of the Australian Code of Conduct.
The commission will review the ad in light of that review, which is expected to take place later this month.
Mr Rudd’s office confirmed that the ad’s use was investigated, but did not comment further.
Mr Richardson’s father, Joe, said he was “disgusted” that the ABC would have a debate about the ad without discussing the family’s concerns.
“I am just so sick and tired of this.
This is just so outrageous,” Mr Richardson said.
Mr Richards’ father said he believed the ad should have been removed.
“The ABC’s decision to promote the film has to stop, this has been a terrible misjudgement,” he said.
He also called for the ABC to disclose its role in the advertising.
“This is a matter for the Australian Government to take responsibility for, to make sure it is not going to happen again,” he added.
The Australian Electoral Commissioner is due to report on Friday on the matter.
“As the ABC has already acknowledged, the advertisement was not suitable for the national broadcaster,” he wrote.
“However, we will be reviewing the ad and taking appropriate action in response to the ABC’s disclosure.”