Labor may draft a series of changes to laws governing the ABC after Bill Shorten accused the broadcaster of a "failure of governance" and claimed some directors only sit on the board because they are "mates" of the government.
The Opposition Leader stopped short of calling for the seven-member board to resign, but said they had serious questions to answer over the botched sacking of managing director Michelle Guthrie and resignation of chairman Justin Milne.
Mr Milne quit last Thursday after it emerged he wanted two journalists to be fired because the government did not like them.
Ms Guthrie gave the board detailed evidence of Mr Milne's demands but the directors - who have a legal obligation to protect the ABC from interference - only moved against the chairman after the claims became public.
"This is a failure of governance, it's a failure of politics, it's a failure of the government," Mr Shorten said.
Half of the current ABC board members were appointed by the government without the endorsement of the independent nomination panel established by Labor to depoliticise board appointments.
The ABC controversy rumbles on.Credit: Matt Golding
Neil Brown, a former member of the panel, told Fairfax Media on Tuesday the Coalition had been "abusing" the system.
In a sign the revelations could hurt the government, the independent frontrunner for the crucial Wentworth byelection plans to elevate the ABC as a "front and centre issue".
"The independence and proper funding of the ABC is now a tier-one issue to this campaign," Kerryn Phelps told Fairfax Media.
"I've heard many people mention the ABC issue and they are worried about what has gone on. This is an ABC electorate and people here care about it being independent and well funded."
Mr Shorten said he would have "more to say" on how to depoliticise board appointments to the ABC and SBS, while Labor communications spokeswoman Michelle Rowland said the party will "consider proposals to strengthen this process".
It's understood Labor is open to legislative changes.
Independent senator Tim Storer has this week handed the Coalition, Labor and crossbench a series of amendments to the ABC Act he plans to move when Parliament returns in two weeks.
"In light of recent events there has been considerable public concern about the way some members of the current board were appointed," Senator Storer said.
"It is my view, and clearly that of many voters, that it is now time to strengthen the process so that it is more transparent, more rigorous and more bipartisan."
When Labor was establishing the merit-based nomination panel, the now-Trade Minister Simon Birmingham warned it was "wide open to manipulation".
“It is clear that the process adopted by the Rudd Labor government to appoint the ABC board remains open to abuse and has many, many questions unanswered as to its implementation," he said at the time.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has shown no interest in reforming the process and has started the search for a new chair to replace Mr Milne.
Mr Shorten on Tuesday committed to "not ignoring the advice of the independent panel" should he win the next election.
The Labor leader also said Communications Minister Mitch Fifield "had more lives than a cat" and needed to explain why he had repeatedly ignored recommendations by the independent panel.
Independent candidate for Wentworth Kerryn Phelps has seized on the ABC drama. Credit: AAP
"This government seems to be an old mates' club. I think they're ignoring the independent panel on so many directors of the ABC. Well, the chickens have come home to roost, haven't they?"
Politicians and former ABC managers have called for the ABC board to resign but acting chairwoman Kirstin Ferguson has argued mass resignations would only worsen the upheaval at the public broadcaster.