ABC managing director resigns from public broadcaster

ABC managing director David Anderson has announced his resignation from the public broadcaster three and a half years before the end of his second term in the role.

The announcement came five months after new ABC chairman Kim Williams took up his post, a period in which he has been critical of the organisation, describing parts of its content as “bland” and suggesting its news websites were too lifestyle-focused.

David Anderson, who will depart the ABC in 2025 and Kim Williams in Sydney on Thursday.Credit: ABC

Anderson, who was first appointed managing director in 2019, was secretly given a second term in the job in May last year, an appointment approved by former chair Ita Buttrose, the board, and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland. His reappointment was not revealed publicly until it was reported by this masthead in August.

The reappointment was justified at the time as a bid to maintain stability and continuity within the ABC, with Anderson to spearhead the broadcaster’s new five-year plan.

Anderson told staff on Thursday it was the right time for both him and the broadcaster and that, upon Williams’ request, he had agreed to stay on into 2025 to ensure a smooth transition to his replacement.

“This decision has not been an easy one. I am still very much committed to the importance of the ABC to the nation. I believe it is the right moment for leadership renewal for the next stage of the ABC’s continued evolution,” he said.

Anderson has worked for the ABC for more than 30 years, rising to the top job in 2019. He became managing director following a period of instability and political tension, when former chair Justin Milne sacked then-managing director Michelle Guthrie and followed her out the door soon after.

ABC Alumni chair and former Media Watch host Jonathan Holmes described Anderson’s initial appointment as “a steady hand on the tiller”.

In a separate note to staff, Williams called Anderson’s statement excellent, dignified and comprehensive.

“I am sure you will agree with me readily that David is a special individual, and that the ABC has been a better place for his leadership,” Williams said.

The chair said he and his board will initiate a recruitment process in the near future, however, he did not expect to make an appointment until next year.

Kim Williams was appointed as ABC chair in January.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Anderson said his decision came despite Williams and the board’s efforts to persuade him to stay on for a full second term.

“Their unabashed enthusiasm for the importance and future of the corporation makes this decision easier. I am confident the timing is right for both me and the ABC.”

Anderson’s reappointment was considered controversial by some at the time, given the chair’s most crucial task is to appoint a managing director and Buttrose was in the final year of her contract.

Anderson’s first full term was due to expire on May 5 this year, two months after Williams began in the role.

Holmes said that decision by Buttrose and the board had deprived Williams of the opportunity to appoint his own managing director.

“David has now left the way clear for Williams and the board he chairs to make this crucial appointment early in his term”.

Since starting in the role, Williams has made a series of constructively critical remarks about the organisation.

He critiqued the broadcaster’s news prioritisation in a recent staff briefing, said it can be too tabloid at times, and in January said aspects of the ABC had become “bland”.

Anderson’s term in office has not been without controversy. He was the subject of a union-led vote of no confidence in January over allegations of pro-Israel bias and suggestions management had buckled to external interference in the decision to sack interim radio presenter Antoinette Lattouf.

He was also criticised in May for the way the ABC had publicly rebuked 7.30 political editor Laura Tingle for comments she made at a Sydney Writers’ Festival event.

Anderson told ABC Radio Melbourne’s Ali Moore on Thursday afternoon there are people internally that the chair and the board should consider as candidates to replace him.

A statement from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance on Thursday afternoon said the next managing director of the ABC must resist political interference and be a defender of the independence of its journalism.

ABC Breakfast host Michael Rowland said Anderson has done an “incredible job in often challenging circumstances”.

“He’s a fundamentally good and decent man.”

Anderson said he has enormous respect for Williams, with his vast experience and knowledge, who brings a new era of leadership for the ABC.

“We share a genuine passion for the ABC as a crucially important cultural institution, and in particular for its Charter and purpose. Under his leadership at the board level, I am certain the ABC is in very good hands,” Anderson said.

“To everyone I have worked with for over three decades, thank you for your friendship, support, advice and collegiality. Being part of the ABC with you has been the highlight of my career.”

The total remuneration for the managing director’s position in the 2023 fiscal year was $1.16 million, according to the ABC’s recent annual report.

Asked by Moore if he was comfortable with how he handled several events, including Lattouf’s sacking and the rebuke of Tingle, Anderson said while many things will “bubble up” at the ABC, his job is to remain focused on his role.

Anderson added he doesn’t have any major regrets from his six years.

“I don’t think you get to the end of six years in this role without a few regrets, and hindsight is a wonderful thing, so you just do your best at the time with the information that you’ve got. The important thing is that you keep making decisions and learn from any mistakes, no one’s perfect.”

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