February decision expected on a new ABC chair

A new chair for the ABC could be announced in February, with senior sources at the public broadcaster expecting Prime Minister Scott Morrison to move to choose a permanent replacement for Justin Milne.

The radical shake-up in leadership at the public broadcaster after the sacking of managing director Michelle Guthrie and the subsequent resignation of Mr Milne has left senior staff waiting on decisions to be made about the top job, with many believing the government will act to ensure certainty at the ABC after a turbulent 2018.

Former ABC chairman Justin Milne and then managing director Michelle Guthrie. Credit: AAP

Mr Milne resigned on September 27, cutting his five-year term short, amid allegations he told Ms Guthrie to fire journalists the government didn’t like. Since then, the ABC has faced an inquiry about political interference, further scrutiny about whether it competes with commercial broadcasters and an efficiency review that is yet to be released.

The public broadcaster has been focusing on a “business as usual” approach under acting chair Kirstin Ferguson – who has not applied for the permanent role – and acting managing director David Anderson, who is considered a frontrunner to retain the job.

Mr Anderson's move into the managing director role meant his former position as head of entertainment and specialist was filled in an acting capacity by Michael Carrington. Several other staff members are in similar "acting" positions due to the changes.

While the ABC chooses its managing director, the government selects its chairperson. Sources say the broadcaster's board is unlikely to make any decisions about Ms Guthrie's replacement until after a new chair is announced.

Some sources have mentioned February as a possible time for an announcement. There has been no formal guidance about timing provided to board members by the government.

After Mr Milne’s resignation, global consulting firm Korn Ferry was brought in to begin the recruitment process, which involves creating a merit-based shortlist for the government, and applications closed on November 16.

Sources close to the recruitment process in 2017, when Mr Milne was hired, said it took about two months after contacting candidates for the government to choose the new chair.

Now the selection process and eventual choice faces additional scrutiny from the public, ABC advocates and political rivals due to the circumstances surrounding Mr Milne’s resignation and his long-standing friendship with former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Sources said last year that the government was keen to de-politicise the process this time.

Former Fairfax Media chief executive Greg Hywood, Gilbert+Tobin managing director and former National Australia Bank director Danny Gilbert and former Allens chief executive Michael Rose are widely considered top candidates for the chair role. None of them have confirmed or denied their involvement in the process. Mr Hywood is on holiday until February.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison could not be reached for comment, however a spokesman for Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said in a statement that the nomination panel would not discuss the process or recommendations for chair.

“When the panel work is concluded, the government considers the nominees prior to making a recommendation to the Governor General,” the spokesman said. He declined to comment on the potential timing of an announcement.

Ms Guthrie recently filed a Fair Work case against the ABC, which includes a push to return to her former job, though this is not expected to affect current hiring plans.