In less than three months, ABC chairman Ita Buttrose will step down. And while overseeing the public broadcaster is a job fraught with politics and other controversies, there is plenty of high-profile interest.

Already, an independent panel has been interviewing potential candidates and has made suggestions to the government – ones they are free to ignore should they wish – with a decision needed before March 6, when Buttrose’s term ends. She was appointed by Scott Morrison in 2019.