Good chat, nothing more to say: Kim Williams meets angry ABC radio staff

ABC chair Kim Williams has met a small group of ABC Radio Sydney staff who wrote to the broadcaster’s board last week incensed over a number of high-profile talent changes.

Williams and a delegation of employees from the radio station met on Thursday to discuss the changes that have left staff “bewildered and concerned”, as they wrote in a letter seen by this masthead.

ABC chair Kim Williams (second right) with departing ABC veterans (from left) Sarah Macdonald, Richard Glover and Simon Marnie.Credit: Monique Westermann

Williams said he had an “open and constructive discussion” with the delegation.

“A free-flow exchange ensued where issues and concerns were identified, and candid responses were offered,” Williams said.

“I welcomed the collegiate spirit and the passion for the produced work and audiences evident throughout our discussion. Nothing further to say.”

ABC local radio stations have endured a challenging year, with ABC Sydney and Melbourne both delivering their worst market shares on record.

‘This is a public-relations disaster on many levels.’

letter from staff

Mornings presenter Sarah Macdonald and Weekend Mornings presenter Simon Marnie were axed from the station’s 2025 plans, with the former’s replacement still not announced, despite former Q+A host Hamish McDonald being heavily touted as the likely replacement.

Macdonald experienced a ratings jump to a 7.5 per cent share in the seventh survey of the year, but her figures have been below 6 per cent in 2024 otherwise. In the final monthly survey released on Thursday morning, the show fell back to a 6.2 per cent share, alongside station-wide declines.

The letter, signed by ABC Radio Sydney employees, said the broadcaster’s staff had a unique relationship with their audience and that recent actions had trampled on their relationship of trust.

“We believe this is a mistake and undermines what has been achieved here in a century of broadcasting,” the letter said.

Station veteran and Drive host Richard Glover announced his retirement last month, with former Evenings host Chris Bath returning as his replacement and Robbie Buck also leaving.

“This is a public-relations disaster on many levels,” the staff letter said, noting four deeply experienced broadcasters would depart at the same time.

“This talent and trust cannot be easily and quickly rebuilt.”

ABC staff said they have dealt with a lot in recent years, including a relocation of the station to Parramatta, as well as staffing and resource cuts every year for the past decade, forcing them to do more with less.

“Unfortunately, it comes as no surprise to us that an under-resourced station may underperform,” they said.

The blame appeared to land at the feet of audio boss Ben Latimer, who arrived from Nova in 2023, alongside head of the capital city network Mike Fitzpatrick, who joined from Triple M without naming the pair.

“We note a significant shift towards senior management who have a commercial media/radio background. We are yet to see evidence of a true understanding and belief in the vital role and responsibility of the public broadcaster in these senior roles,” the letter said.

“We are deeply disappointed by the current situation and concerned about the future of local radio.”

Williams was appointed ABC chair in January by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, beginning his term two months later.

The Sydney changes come alongside widespread appointments of new talent across the ABC radio network. In 2025, both ABC Melbourne and Radio National will also have new breakfast hosts.

Melbourne’s Sammy J will be replaced by former AFL player Bob Murphy and journalist Sharnelle Vella in 2025, while Sally Sara will replace Patricia Karvelas on RN.

The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.