ABC boss Michelle Guthrie sacked
ABC boss Michelle Guthrie said she was “devastated” to be axed only halfway through her five-year term as managing director and is considering her legal options after falling out with the ABC board. READ THE FULL STATEMENTS.
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ABC boss Michelle Guthrie said she was “devastated” to be axed only halfway through her five-year term as managing director and is considering her legal options after falling out with the ABC board.
Ms Guthrie said she was terminated from her $891,000 a year job despite “no claim of wrongdoing on my part”.
ABC Chairman Justin Milne revealed the taxpayer-funded broadcaster was seeking “fresh leadership” a day after The Australian reported his relationship with 53-year-old Ms Guthrie had soured.
Broadcasting veteran David Anderson will replace Ms Guthrie as Acting Managing Director as the board begins a recruitment search for a permanent replacement.
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Ms Guthrie, who joined the ABC in 2016, said she was aware of the “enormous challenge in front of me to break down some of the internal barriers to progress as well as continuing to deliver quality programming for all Australians”.
“I have invested more in investigative journalist, more in regional journalism, more in innovative content and increased the efficiency and effectiveness of work across the ABC,” she said.
Ms Guthrie said the ABC Act fixes her term as Managing Director at five years, concluding on July 4, 2021.
“While my contract permits the Board to terminate my appointment without cause and with immediate effect, I believe there is no justification for the Board to trigger that termination clause,” she said.
“I am considering my legal options”.
Mr Milne said Ms Guthrie was sacked because of the need for a better relationship with the government — but insisted no one from the government pressured the board to sack her.
“The board felt in the end that her leadership style was not the style that we needed going forward. We needed a different leadership style,” Mr Milne said.
Ms Guthrie was kicked out of the job on Monday halfway through her five-year term, and Mr Milne said her relationship with the government was a factor.
“That is possibly an area that could have been better. I think that is fair to say. That said, I think Michelle tried hard and was involved with government,” he said.
“(But) the government, I must say, has provided no pressure, no opinion, has not been involved in this decision. This is entirely a board decision.” Ms Guthrie, a former Google executive and media lawyer, has been a controversial figure at the ABC as she managed tighter budgets along with leading expansion into new business areas.
Mr Milne conceded Ms Guthrie had done a “pretty good” job turning the ABC towards its digital future.
“She’s got, as they say in the trade, a great Rolodex, she’s a good networker and she’s done very well from that point of view,” he said.
Mr Milne said the ABC must now push ahead with its “Jetstream” project, which involves building the digital infrastructure of the future.
Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said Ms Guthrie’s departure was independent from the government, and her replacement would also be independently chosen.
Excellent decision https://t.co/Xzo14iRDcM
— Sally Neighbour (@neighbour_s) September 24, 2018
“The government thanks Michelle Guthrie and acknowledges her service as managing director of the ABC for the past two-and-a-half years in what is a challenging and rapidly changing media environment,” Senator Fifield said.
Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek was “perplexed” by the decision and wants an explanation from the ABC.
Long-time ABC critic and Liberal MP Eric Abetz said Ms Guthrie’s replacement must bring to an end “the frolics masquerading as news and ‘comedy’ from some ABC employees”.
Sally Neighbour, executive producer of 4 Corners, tweeted: “excellent decision”.
Mr Milne announced the decision in an earlier statement, saying the board was concerned with the “long term interests of our own people and the millions of Australians who engage in ABC content every week”.
“This is driven by our commitment to deliver best possible outcomes for our loyal audience.”
Mr Milne issued a company-wide email this morning saying the sacking was in the “best interests of the organisation.”
“This outcome follow discussions involving directors and Ms Guthrie over several months, which concluded when the board resolved to take the course of action,” she said in the email.
“The Board has given long and detailed consideration to this serious matter. We appreciate that a change in leadership creates uncertainty, however, we are firmly of the view that the decision is in the best interests of the organisation.
“The Board wishes to thank Michelle for her contribution to the ABC. We are very grateful for all her hard work. I am meeting with the leadership team, some of whom are overseas, to explain today’s news. They enjoy the strong support of the board, and a change in leadership does not mean a change in strategy.”
FULL STATEMENT FROM MS GUTHRIE
I am devastated by the Board’s decision to terminate my employment despite no claim of wrongdoing on my part.
When I joined the ABC in 2016 I knew I had an enormous challenge in front of me to break down some of the internal barriers to progress as well as continuing to deliver programing for all Australians.
In the first two years of my five-year term I have invested more in investigative journalism, more in regional journalism, more in innovative content and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of work across the ABC.
As the first female Managing Director of the ABC I felt a tremendous responsibility and unique privilege to lead Austral’s most important cultural insittutio. At all times I have promoted the ABC’s importance to the community, including having to defend and protect the ABC’s independence.
The ABC Act fixes the term of appointment of the Managing Director at five year. My term concludes on 4 Jult 2021. While my contract permits the Board to terminate my appointment without cause and with immediate effect I believe there is no justification for the Board to trigger the termination clause.
I am considering my legal options.
I want to continue the transformation of the ABC and to support the great work of the ABC’s dedicated and passionate employees to ensure our continuing trust, quality and distinctivness as the source of Australian, conversations and stories. To me, it is the content produced by the ABC that is of primary importance to Australians.
FULL STATEMENT FROM THE ABC
The ABC Board has announced that Michelle Guthrie today departed from the role of Managing Director.
The decision follows discussions over several months that concluded when directors resolved that it was not in the best interests of the ABC for Ms Guthrie to continue to lead the organisation.
Chairman Justin Milne said the Board believed that new leadership would benefit the organisation, its dedicated employees, and the ABC’s audiences.
“In resolving to seek fresh leadership, the Board’s foremost consideration was the long-term interests of our own people and the millions of Australians who engage with ABC content every week,” Mr Milne said.
“This decision has been driven by our commitment to deliver the best possible outcomes for our loyal audiences and the best possible experience for our own people.
“We understand that transitions can be disruptive in the short-term. However, the ABC is fortunate to have an experienced and capable executive team that will provide continuity in the months ahead.
“The board wishes to thank Michelle for her contribution to the ABC. We are very grateful for all her hard work,” Mr Milne concluded.
The ABC Board has invited David Anderson to serve as Acting Managing Director until the role is filled on a permanent basis in coming months.
Mr Anderson is currently Director, Entertainment & Specialist, responsible for broadcast television networks and associated services, radio music networks, podcasts and specialist radio content. He has enjoyed a successful career in the broadcast television and media industry for nearly 30 years.
“I recognise the challenges involved in transitions of this kind but I am honoured to accept the Board’s invitation and look forward to working with our outstanding people to execute our strategy,” Mr Anderson said.
Succession planning receives continuous attention from the ABC Board. It has commenced a formal search process that will involve internal and external candidates. By law, Managing Directors are selected by the ABC Board independently of the Government and Opposition of the day.
WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS SAYING
• “I want to see an ABC that’s strong and doing its job and the board does as well.” - Prime Minister Scott Morrison
• “I’ve got to say, I’m perplexed. I heard the report just before this media conference, I had a look at the statement from the board, I don’t think that really clarifies matters.” - Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek
• “What on earth is the government’s explanation for Michelle Guthrie’s apparent sacking as head of the ABC. The ABC’s future is owned by all Australians.” - Former PM Kevin Rudd
• “This seems like a great chance to bring in someone who will help the ABC become more fair and balanced. I nominate @PMOnAir (Sky News presenter Paul Murray).” - One Nation leader Pauline Hanson
• “I am devastated by the board’s decision to terminate my employment despite no claim of wrongdoing on my part.” - Michelle Guthrie
• “Whatever happens next, the ABC needs a strong advocate at the helm who will stand up to the relentless attacks from the coalition government and their anti- ABC cronies.” - Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young
• “I am hopeful that the new managing director will ensure that that the Ultimo-centric broadcaster is more in line with the aspirations of Australians including by delivering benefit to the taxpayer, stopping the left-wing bias and bringing an end to the frolics masquerading as news and ‘comedy’ from some ABC employees.” - Liberal senator Eric Abetz
• “We feel it is time for a new vision and new direction for the ABC to emerge, allowing journalists and content makers to get on with the job of serving audiences with the content they trust.” - Journalists’ union MEAA
• “Excellent decision.” - Sally Neighbour, 4Corners executive producer.