Independent ABC conduct review submitted almost two months late

An independent probe into the ABC’s coverage of Australian soldiers in Afghanistan has been labelled “unacceptable” after its findings were submitted almost two months late.

An independent probe into the ABC’s coverage of Australian soldiers in Afghanistan has been labelled “unacceptable” after its findings were submitted almost two months late.

The final review, commissioned by the public broadcaster’s managing director David Anderson in September, was sent in by reviewer Alan Sunderland yesterday, it can be revealed.

This is despite Mr Anderson claiming in September the review would be delivered in full by the end of October.

The review by former ABC news director Mr Sunderland was set up to probe the ABC’s conduct in coverage of the Australian Defence Force’s decorated November platoon, after Channel 7’s Spotlight program revealed now-deleted footage of a soldier shooting at people from inside a helicopter had additional gunfire sounds added to it.

Former November platoon commander Heston Russell, who was informed the report had been submitted by Mr Sunderland yesterday before being refused access to it, slammed the lengthy review process as and called for it to be cast aside.

ABC Managing Director David Anderson and former ABC editorial director Alan Sunderland (right) appearing before Senate Estimates together in 2019. Picture: John Feder

“It’s now what, a week and a bit before Christmas. It’s unacceptable,” Mr Russell said.

He said he had written to federal Communications minister Michelle Rowland earlier this month over concerns about former ABC employee Mr Sunderland being chosen to conduct the review, but had not received a response.

Former November platoon commander Heston Russell. Picture: Gaye Gerard

“He’s not independent by any legal or literary definition of the word, he’s a former employee,” he said.

“I want the ABC to appoint someone who’s truly independent … I just want to hold that handful of people to account.”

Mr Sunderland told this masthead last night the release of the review publicly was “a matter for the ABC”, but said the review release had been delayed due to “the need to ensure procedural fairness”.

“(To) talk to all relevant parties took longer than anticipated, which is why I released an interim report at the end of October/start of November,” he sad.

The vision presented by ABC program 7.30 which was removed from its website after it was discovered to be doctored.

Mr Sunderland also defended his role in the probe, claiming his previous work at the ABC was “arms-length” from program areas and that his experience in conducting “independent editorial investigations” and his book on editorial standards were among reasons he was a fit for the role.

“I imagine the ABC thought that I had the right mix of experience, independence and an understanding of the way public interest journalism at the ABC should be done to handle the review,” he said.

“Ultimately, though, that’s for others to judge.”

A spokesman for Ms Rowland said Mr Russell’s letter had been received and “there will be a response in due course”.

The ABC declined to comment.