ABC board shake-up favours ‘outsider’ as deputy chair

The Albanese government is expected to replace the ABC’s deputy chair, in a move that could further dilute the conservative presence on the board.

Georgie Somerset is expected to be replaced as ABC deputy chair. Picture: Glenn Hunt / The Australian

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The federal government is expected to replace ABC deputy chair Georgie Somerset – appointed to the public broadcaster’s directorship during the Turnbull era – with an “outside” pick, in a move that could further dilute the conservative presence on the board.

Ms Somerset was appointed interim deputy chair in early February for six months, and will complete her term on August 5, although her tenure as a non-executive director at the ABC will not expire until February 2027.

The highly regarded business figure with a wealth of experience in rural industries became interim chair after the Christmas Eve resignation of Peter Tonagh, who occupied the position for more than three years.

Mr Tonagh, a veteran media executive, subsequently joined the board of directors at Nine Entertainment in January.

Peter Tonagh joined the board of directors at Nine Entertainment in January after a three-year stint as ABC interim chair. Picture: John Feder / The Australian

Sources have told The Australian that Ms Somerset is keen to extend her term as deputy chair. But the fact she was a Coalition appointment, joining the board in February 2017, is likely to count against her.

Fellow non-executive board member Mario D’Orazio is also likely to be overlooked for the same reason. He was appointed to the board by the Morrison government in May 2021.

When contacted by The Australian, Ms Somerset declined to clarify whether or not she was seeking an extension to her tenure, while Mr D’Orazio did not respond to messages.

Well-placed sources believe the “expectation” is that the Albanese government prefers the position of deputy chair to be held by “one of its own appointees”, and the likely successful candidate will be someone who does not currently sit on the board.

It’s not unusual for the government of the day to engineer an ABC board that broadly reflects its political standpoint.

Even though an independent nomination panel assesses candidates for the board and makes recommendations to the federal government about the suitability of applicants, the communications minister has the discretion to appoint someone who is not on the panel’s shortlist.

ABC managing director Hugh Marks is one of eight people on the board. Picture: NewsWire

At present, there are eight people on the ABC board: chair Kim Williams, managing director Hugh Marks, Ms Somerset, Mr D’Orazio, staff-elected director Laura Tingle, tech and health industry executive Louise McElvogue (appointed by the Albanese government in October 2023), Nicolette Maury, CEO of a climate technology company who was also appointed as a non-executive director in October 2023, and Katrina Sedgwick, a prominent figure in the arts industry.

Excluding Mr Marks, Ms Sedgwick is the most recent appointee to the board – her five-year term commenced in October last year.

It’s not known if Ms McElvogue, Ms Maury or Ms Sedgwick have expressed interest in the role of deputy chair.

The ABC Act requires that board directors must be “experienced in broadcasting, communications or management, or have expertise in financial or technical matters, or have cultural or other interests relevant to the provision of broadcasting services”.

Communications Minister Annika Wells says the announcement about the ABC’s deputy chair will be made ‘in due course’. Picture Lachie Millard

In addition to the chair, managing director and staff-elected director, the board must consist of “not fewer than four nor more than six other non-executive directors”, meaning the current board could accommodate one, or even two, additional members.

A spokesperson for the ABC said that “board positions are appointed by the governor-general”.

But such appointments routinely involve consultation with the prime minister and the communications minister.

A spokesperson for Communications Minister Annika Wells said an announcement about the appointment of the ABC’s deputy chair “will be made in due course”.