Government orders review to safeguard ABC, SBS funding

A spokesperson for the communications minister confirmed the review and its subsequent advice would not impact the ongoing process to appoint two directors to the ABC board, or the looming decision over its chairperson. Current chair Ita Buttrose’s tenure is set to expire in March.

The Albanese government confirmed five-year funding terms for both broadcasters this year, with $6 billion towards the ABC over that period.

Rowland told attendees of the dinner that under the Coalition government the ABC faced threat of privitisation, “arbitrary” funding cuts, and “scant regard for the independent merit-based selection process for ABC board members”.

Since the nomination panel process was implemented in 2012, Rowland said, “around half” of the 10 board director appointees “were not recommended by the panel”.

During a standard selection process the nomination panel will present three options for each vacant role, however the prime minister (in the case of a chair appointment) or minister is not required to recommend a candidate from the shortlist. If they nominate a candidate not on the shortlist, the prime minister or minister is required to table a statement of reason in both houses of parliament.

The government is currently in the process of appointing two directors to vacant seats on the ABC board. Several senior internal and former ABC sources have criticised the selection process, citing its lengthy process and lack of forward planning.

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This masthead was told earlier this month the appointment of two directors remains “several months away” after the government received more than 400 applications to its advertisement for the roles in May, with a new selection panel chosen last month.

Joseph Gersh was told in December 2022 the government would not reappoint after his term ended in May, one of the sources noted. Meanwhile, Fiona Balfour is leaving the board after pressure from Buttrose over a perceived conflict with her directorship at a Telstra-affiliated company.

Labor has sought to adopt stricter hurdles around government-appointed directors to limit perceived political stacking under the former Coalition government.

It ordered former Australian Public Service commissioner Lynelle Briggs to review appointment standards and processes earlier this year, including the advertising of roles, professional selection procedures and performance tracking of board members, not strictly limited to the ABC.

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