ABC crisis: Justin Milne demanded Michelle Guthrie ‘shoot’ Andrew Probyn

New claims emerge that ABC chairman Justin Milne demanded Michelle Guthrie “shoot’’ political editor Andrew Probyn.

Justin Milne demanded Michelle Guthrie “shoot’’ ABC political journalist Andrew Probyn.

Two corporate heavyweights have backed ABC chairman Justin Milne, who was fighting for his job last night amid growing calls for his resignation and a government inquiry into his direction to former managing director Michelle ­Guthrie to sack journalist Emma Alberici because the government “hated’’ her.

The crisis engulfing the nat­ional broadcaster’s leadership will deepen further today, with fresh allegations emerging that Mr Milne also directed Ms Guthrie to “shoot” the ABC’s political editor Andrew Probyn after a meeting with the then-prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull.

Alleged details of the discussion were reportedly contained in a document Ms Guthrie gave to ABC board members on Friday in a bid to defend her performance as managing director.

The document, reported in The Daily Telegraph today, said Mr Milne called Ms Guthrie on June 15 after a meeting with Mr Turnbull and Communications Minister Mitch Fifield to discuss Probyn­, who was acc­used by the government of running “Labor lies” about the Super Saturday by-elections.

“In that phone call that lasted for approximately half an hour, Mr Milne ­berated me about Andrew Probyn, saying that the then-prime minister hates him and ‘You have to shoot him’,” the board document states, according to The Telegraph.

“When I responded that I can’t do that, that I can’t fire a journalist for making a mistake and that I probably make 10 mistakes a day and that couldn’t be the test for firing someone, Mr Milne ­responded that my mistakes don’t affect the prime minister.

“I reiterated the need to maintain our public trust and the ABC couldn’t be responding, or be seen to be responding, to pressure from the government of the day.

“In response, Mr Milne continued to yell at me and berate me and wouldn’t let me finish the call.

“He told me I was putting the future of the ABC at risk as we are asking the government for half a billion dollars for (digital platform) Jetstream and we won’t get it ­unless I do what I’m told.”

ABC staff hold a meeting outside their offices in Ultimo. Holding placards can be seen (L-R) Sarah Gerathy (blonde), Sean Rubenstein Dunlop (grey top) and Dylan Welsh (far right).

This morning, it was reported Mr Milne referred to Ms Guthrie as “the missus” in front of staff as well as calling women “babes” and “chicks”.

Fairfax reports Ms Guthrie told those close to her that this language made her uncomfortable and contributed to her relationship with Mr Milne breaking down.

Mr Milne did not respond to questions about the latest alle­gations.

Late yesterday, business directors Ziggy Switkowski and Kerry Schott, who sit with Mr Milne on the board of the government-owned NBN, defended the embattled chairman after angry ABC staff gathered at the broadcaster’s Ultimo headquarters in Sydney. More than 350 staff supported a motion calling for Mr Milne to step aside for allegedly politically interfering in the broadcaster’s ­independence.

After Labor and the Greens pushed to set up a Senate inquiry into the machinations at the top of the ABC, Scott Morrison ­ordered a probe into the broadcaster.

The Morrison government asked the Communications ­Dep­art­ment to launch an urgent investigation into the conduct of Mr Milne following the emergence of an email yesterday calling for the sacking of Alberici, the ABC’s chief economics correspondent, following another complaint from Mr Turnbull.

“They (the government) hate her (Alberici),’’ Mr Milne wrote in the email dated May 8.

“We are tarred with her brush. I think it’s simple. Get rid of her. We need to save the ABC — not Emma. There is no guarantee they (the Coalition) will lose the next election.”

Staff leave the Ultimo headquarters in Sydney. Picture: John Feder.

Former ABC chairman David Hill said Mr Milne had “put himself in an untenable position’’.

“It’s an improper thing to have done,’’ he said.

It is understood that the ABC board backed Mr Milne — for now — in a hastily convened phone hook-up after they discussed the fallout from the leaked email.

Sources said all but one ­member of Mr Milne’s board were present for the crisis meeting.

“We have to hold the line,” a source said.

Asked if he was preparing for a battle to retain his chairmanship, Mr Milne told The Australian last night: “The community holds boards these days to a very high standard, especially since the APRA report into the CBA.

“I have done what responsible board members should do — work hard to ensure the future of the ­organisation I’m proud to chair.

“The government did not seek to influence any of my conver­sations. All of my interactions with management are motivated by ­securing the ABC’s long-term ­viability. ”

Dr Switkowski and Dr Schott both told The Australian that Mr Milne typically acted with consensus, needed to consider all options in front of him and no grounds ­existed for his removal. Dr Switkowski, the former Telstra boss who sits on NBN and Tabcorp boards with Mr Milne, said he “did not have much time for the sense of outrage” expressed by some critics of the ABC chairman because penetrating questions were needed at the top to help shape ­organisations.

Following her surprise sacking from the ABC Michelle Guthrie (R) enjoys a meal at Rockpool in Sydney with friend Melanie Brock.

“As an executive at a high level, he is more than capable of understanding digital technology and the operation of media,” he said.

“He is a very good fit at the ABC as far as good governance, leadership and building a good team.”

While not familiar with specific issues at the ABC, Dr Switkowski said it was clear Ms Guthrie’s ­performance as managing director was “judged lacking”.

“It is apparent that discussions were not able to reach an agreement on terms, so she was fired. It’s a familiar enough scenario.”

Dr Schott said she had worked with him for four years, and knew Mr Milne would act with board ­approval in the treatment of a chief executive. “How a board would deal with the sorts of complaints the ABC regularly deals with, and the way it does business, whether it is staff such as Emma Alberici or anything else, they would consider all positions. Justin is informal on a wide range of things … he’s not a dictatorial person and I would not expect he would act without gaining consensus.”