Seb Costello has officially announced his departure from Nine Network after 13 years with the broadcaster, following the controversy surrounding his actions during the filming of a segment for A Current Affair. On March 9, 2025, Costello resigned amid fallout from an incident where he pursued finance executive Mo Ahmed, attempting to interview him inside the women's restroom at the InterContinental Hotel in Melbourne.
The incident occurred last November when Costello and his A Current Affair film crew chased Ahmed, who was at the time embroiled in legal battles involving the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Ahmed alleged assault stemming from the encounter, prompting Nine to initiate an internal review of the events. Costello was stood down from his duties soon after the incident and remained absent from work during the investigation.
“After more than a decade at Nine, I have resigned from my role to seek a fresh challenge,” Costello expressed, emphasizing his gratitude to the network and wishing them well. A spokesperson for Nine confirmed the news to multiple outlets, stating simply, “Nine confirms Seb Costello has resigned his employment. We wish him all the best.”
Despite having been with Nine for over a decade, Costello's career was rapidly becoming mired in controversy. Notably, just months earlier, his father, Peter Costello, the former chair of Nine Entertainment, also left the company following accusations of misconduct. Peter was filmed allegedly assaulting journalist Liam Mendes of The Australian at Canberra Airport, incidents which raised concerns about the workplace culture at Nine.
The internal review of the company’s workplace culture revealed concerning levels of inappropriate behavior, which prompted acting-CEO Matt Stanton to admit, “This report was personally distressing for me to read.” Nine chair Catherine West stated, “Abuse of power, bullying, sexual harassment, and inappropriate conduct is not okay. This behavior has no place at Nine.”
Costello’s recent actions only add to the narrative surrounding both his professional life and the scrutiny of the network's workplace environments. Following the incident with Ahmed, who was pursued inside the bathroom, Nine launched the internal review, shedding light on various complaints and allegations of misconduct among staff. Subsequent investigations have pointed to significant issues within the company, prompting leaders to address the need for systemic changes.
According to reports, the internal review follows series of incidents highlighting inappropriate behavior at Nine, with many staff attributing these problems to management’s failure to address such matters effectively. Even outside of the current scandal, Seb Costello has had difficulty staying out of trouble. Back in 2022, he was fined and placed on good behavior bond due to his involvement in another high-profile dispute with neighbors, which had also resulted in police intervention.
Now, with the resignation from Nine, Seb Costello appears to be shifting focus away from his broadcasting career and toward what he termed as new challenges. The internal climate at Nine remains under scrutiny, with employees hoping for real reform amid high-profile departures and incidents.
The situation continues to evolve, as inquiries look at the broader issues of ethics and appropriate conduct within journalism. The revelations surrounding Costello and the investigation's outcomes will be pivotal not just for the individuals involved, but for the standards expected within Australia’s media organizations moving forward.
Watercooler gossip at Nine seems to point to the need for urgent changes within editorial practices, with employees from various departments calling for transparency and accountability.
At this point, little clarity has emerged on whether Costello will pursue opportunities elsewhere or take time away from the public eye entirely to reflect on recent events. For now, his tenure at Nine has concluded, leaving behind both scrutiny and lessons about the responsibilities borne by those within media professions.