Staffer to Liberal leader Angus Taylor loses it at Channel Ten political reporter in hot mic moment: 'No wonder 10 Plus got cut'

By NICHOLAS COMINO, POLITICAL REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 03:49, 13 August 2026 | Updated: 03:57, 13 August 2026 Opposition Leader Angus Taylor's chief of media has been caught on a hot mic criticising a Network 10 journalist's questions as a 'fricking disgrace'. Taylor's media director Kane Silom was filmed on Thursday taking issue with political editor Ashleigh Raper's questioning about the ongoing NSW ICAC investigation into a Liberal faction.  After the press conference ended, Silom approached Raper and challenged her line of questioning. 'Are your ratings that bad? Seriously, that's a frickin disgrace,' Silom said. 'What? Asking questions about an ICAC inquiry?' Raper replied. 'Yeah, and he's answered them, like, 500 times,' Silom said. 'No, he has not answered a single question,' Raper said. 'No wonder 10 Plus got cut,' Silom said. The exchange came after Raper repeatedly pressed Taylor over allegations being examined by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption.