ABC under fire over secret Michelle Guthrie settlement

The government has pushed the ABC to disclose how much Michelle Guthrie’s payout cost taxpayers.

Former Managing Director Michelle Guthrie. Picture: Gary Ramage

The government has sought transparency from the ABC, demanding the public broadcaster disclose how much sacked managing director Michelle Guthrie’s settlement cost taxpayers.

Ms Guthrie sought legal action in December when she was stood down from her $900,000-a-year role half way through her five-year contract and on Friday announced with the ABC they had reached a “resolution” to their Federal Court litigation.

“The details of the resolution will remain confidential,” the ABC’s three sentenced statement read.

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield and former ABC staff have backed calls for the taxpayer-funded broadcaster to disclose the terms of settlement and how much money was involved.

Mr Fifield said he expected the matter to be canvassed at senate estimates on Wednesday.

“The government’s preference would be for the parties concerned to be transparent in relation to any part of the settlement that may involve the payment and receipt of taxpayer funds,” a spokesman for Mr Fifield said.

Former ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie and Communications Minister Mitch Fifield. Picture: Kym Smith

“Neither the government nor the community are aware of the terms of the settlement.”

Ms Guthrie took the ABC to court over claims her dismissal was in retaliation to her raising complaints about former chairman Justin Milne amid allegations he encouraged her to sack journalists the government didn’t like.

At the time, Ms Guthrie asked for compensation and the option to return to her role and in early February. Ms Guthrie, the ABC and its board members were ordered into mediation.

Neither the ABC nor a spokesman for Ms Guthrie would comment on the terms of the settlement or how much money it involved.

A senate inquiry into the political interference at the ABC will be heard tomorrow with the entire board of directors and acting managing director David Andersen expected to attend.

The advocacy group ABC Alumni, which includes hundreds of former staff members, have also banded together urging the public broadcaster to provide more transparency around the settlement.

“At least the range of the settlement, if not the exact figure, should most definitely be revealed in the public interest,” Helen Grasswill, co-director of ABC Alumni told Nine newspapers.

The public broadcaster is in the process of selecting Ms Guthrie’s replacement following the government’s selection of Ita Buttrose on Thursday as chairman.