ABC chair Kim Williams says he won’t be seeking additional role as managing director after David Anderson’s resignation

ABC chair Kim Williams has ruled out any possibility of adding the available role of managing director to his existing duties, stating that an international search will be conducted.

ABC chair Kim Williams.

ABC chair Kim Williams has ruled out any possibility of adding the available role of managing director to his existing duties, stating that an international search will be conducted to find the most suitable candidate – as long as they’re Australian.

The ABC Act allows for a person to simultaneously hold the positions of chairman and managing director, but the chair cannot appoint themselves as managing director without the imprimatur of the board.

In the wake of current managing director David Anderson’s announcement on Thursday that he would step down in early 2025, some senior ABC staff openly speculated that, in the absence of an obvious successor, Mr Williams might pursue the vacant position, which includes the duties of an editor-in-chief.

But on Friday, Mr Williams – who in recent months has made a series of sharp observations about the editorial direction of the organisation – said he would not be interested in adopting the more “hands on” operational role of MD.

“I am not and would never be a candidate. Period. Don’t be silly,” Mr Williams told The Weekend Australian.

Mr Williams said the incoming managing director would be an Australian citizen, adding that any appropriately qualified Australians currently working abroad would also be sounded out.

Earlier this month, Mr Williams caused a stir when it emerged that he had directly addressed Radio National staff about the department’s failure to prioritise hard news over softer lifestyle content.

ABC managing director David Anderson. Picture: AAP

“I think I make no apology for the fact I think news should be prioritised appropriately. Sorry if that’s unsatisfying,” he reportedly told Radio National staff during the meeting.

While Mr Williams’ criticisms were widely seen as valid – both externally and by many ABC staff – the chair’s foray into editorial matters was seen as highly unusual, as it’s an area that is usually the domain of the managing director.

During an interview with ABC Radio National’s Patricia Karvelas on Friday morning, Mr Anderson downplayed the degree to which editorial differences between himself and Mr Williams had influenced his decision to leave the public broadcaster just a year after signing a contract extension through to July 2028.

“The organisation is in good hands with Kim Williams here as chair,” Mr Anderson said.

“Kim tried to talk me out of this.

“He sent me away on holiday for most of July, where I (decided) the decision was the right one for me.”

Later in the interview, Mr Anderson clarified that he first started to think about quitting his ABC post – which commands a $1.2 million annual salary – eight months ago.

“It was probably somewhere over the Christmas break I started to think about (leaving),” Mr Anderson said.

“I probably articulated this to Kim two or three months ago.

“The ABC is an institution. I’m just a custodian in this role, and I just feel it’s time to hand it on to someone else.”

Mr Anderson also said there was a “good case” for his replacement to be a woman.

Asked about this, Mr Wil­liams declined to comment.