She's more than just a pretty face: SBS reporter Ellie Laing fires back at claims she was employed because she 'scrubs up alright'... and says she has worked 'damn hard' for her role

• Ellie Laing spoke out against claims of being hired for looks alone
• The Australian claimed Jim Carroll only employed pretty, Anglo-Celtic girls
• The article claims SBS is having an 'attractive' overhaul to boost ratings
•  It's believed Karen Middleton SBS political reporter's departure comes after she didn't  'fit the bill'
• Laing said article did not take into account decade of working 'damn hard'
• Told Daily Mail Australia that reaction to her letter has been supportive 

By Sam Bailey For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:04 EST, 23 April 2015 | Updated: 04:43 EST, 23 April 2015

While being white, blonde and an attractive Anglo-Saxon shouldn't ensue judgement, according to Ellie Laing, SBS news reporter, it does come with a barrage of unfair perceptions.

In an article by The Australian written on Monday, Jim Carroll, the News and Current Affairs Director of SBS, was reported to be taking a more 'commercial' approach to the network by hiring 'good-looking, female, Anglo-Celtic' journalists.

While Carroll denies he is hiring based on these standards, many of the journalists hired since his appointment in 2013 have fit the above bill.

'Never mind the fact that I work damned hard': SBS reporter Ellie Laing has launched a scathing attack on an article in The Australian that suggested she and other journalists were hired for being young, white and female

Ellie Laing, SBS news reporter who was hired by Carroll, has now hit back at claims she was hired for her beauty over her brains in an open letter to critics.

'When a compliment suggesting I might be, in some way “attractive," I’ll take it, with delight,' she wrote in an open letter circulated to several news outlets.

'What I won’t take is a suggestion that because I'm “attractive”, white and a woman it somehow detracts from the credibility and substance of the news service I work for.'

Laing also wrote that despite a near decade of experience, hard work, established contacts and a regular six day week gig working as a journalism teacher at Macleay College on the side, none of this was taken into account.

Diversity: The SBS was criticised for hiring young attractive reporters, with Sarah Abo one of the journalists mentioned in the article

'In my case it didn't mention the near decade of experience I could bring to the newsroom after enjoying a long career across radio and TV at the ABC, Seven and Ten. Never mind the fact that I work damned hard.' 

The article also commented on the SBS content taking a more 'fluffy' lifestyle approach , which Laing shot back at by insisting a need for an inclusion of the arts and a more balanced approach to hard news.

Beyond the affront on her looks, credibility and the content, Laing made sure to clear up one thing  - she was hired for passion, not because she 'scrubs up alright.'

Alyshia Gates is another of the SBS journalists whose position were questioned by The Australian

Finishing her letter with a fiery response for The Australian journalist behind the controversial article, Laing said: 'If he’d watched the bulletin a bit closer he would have seen I’ve changed my name to Ellie Laing (too). I got married late last year. And yes, on my wedding day, I looked the most “attractive” I've ever been.'

While Laing stands by Carroll and claims that suggest the over importance her looks play, this article comes at the same week Karen Middleton, SBS political correspondent announced her departure from the network.

It's believed by insiders she didn't have the right 'profile' to fit Carroll's new criterion.

Whether it's sexism based on attractiveness or unattractiveness, age or cultural background it could be said the head of network's values to be 'independent from external pressures to conform or favour' and 'provide a real multi cultural and contemporary Australia' are coming under question.