Australian PM urges ministers to boycott famous talk show on ABC

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has urged his agriculture minister to boycott the famous Q&A talk show, which is hosted by national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC), as it was criticised for allowing a former terror suspect to appear live on television two weeks ago.

According to the BBC, Australian Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has cancelled his Monday night appearance on the channel.

A spokesman for Joyce said Prime Minister Abbot has communicated that he does not want any front bencher to appear on Q&A.

The Q&A programme has become a lightning rod for debate in Australia about national security and freedom of speech.