Federal government releases terms of reference for review into the independence of the ABC and SBS

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the past decade had been a ‘tumultuous time for the ABC’ and she urged people to make submissions to its review of the public broadcasters.

ABC managing director David Anderson and chair Ita Buttrose in Parramatta CBD after announcing ABC HQ will move from Ultimo. Picture: Ryan Osland

The ABC’s board appointments process will be closely examined as part of the federal government’s extensive review into the independence of the nation’s public broadcasters.

Communications minister Michelle Rowland revealed the review’s terms of reference on Thursday that have been developed in consultation with the ABC and SBS and will focus on both funding and governance arrangements.

This includes reviewing the selection process of board appointments and whether the chair of both the ABC and SBS needed to play an active role in choosing candidates.

Ms Rowland said the “past decade was a tumultuous time for the ABC” and she criticised the former Coalition government for its treatment of the public broadcasters, particularly the ABC.

“Under the former Liberal National government, the threat of privatisation was real, arbitrary funding cuts caused disruption and uncertainty, and there was scant regard for the independent merit-based selection process for ABC board members,” she said in a speech to activist group ABC Friends’ winter dinner in Sydney on Thursday night.

“These issues were considered at length in the Senate inquiry into allegations of political interference in the ABC, which reported in April 2019.”

In her address, Ms Rowland said the concerns around political interference in board appointments led to the creation of the nomination panel a decade ago to help in the selection process but she questioned its effectiveness.

“Since the legislated nomination panel process came into effect in late 2012, around half of the 10 ABC board appointments that have been made were not recommended by the nomination panel,” she said.

The ABC board is led by chair Ita Buttrose and two of the nine positions remain vacant – it’s understood it could be months until they are filled.

The nomination panel, led by chair Helen Williams, is still working through the applications for these positions and then it provides a shortlist of at least three candidates per vacancy to the government.

In the public consultation paper into the review, it is seeking views on issues including the role of the ABC and SBS chairs in appointing board members.

This includes whether the chairs should be involved in developing a selection criteria for potential appointments and also if they should consulted on potential appointments.

Ms Rowland said the review is open under the end of August and she urged people to make submissions.

“This review is an opportunity for Australians to have their say on the funding and governance arrangements for the ABC and SBS, including measures to support stable funding terms and promote effective board appointments,” she said.

“The ABC and SBS are key democratic and cultural institutions that provide essential services for communities across the country.

“I encourage all Australians to share their thoughts on how to provide greater stability to support the independence of the national broadcasters.”

Ms Buttrose’s tenure as chair is due to expire on March 6 next year while the managing director, David Anderson’s term ends on May 5, 2024.

George Savvides has been the chair of SBS since 2020.

The federal government introduced five-year funding terms from July 1 and the ABCs

receives $1.1 billion in government funding each year.

The Labor government also restored $83.7 million in funding after it reversed cuts made under the previous Coalition government.

In the next four years SBS will also receive $1.32bn in total base funding, climbing from $316m in 2022-23 to $338m by 2025-26.

Ms Rowland also outlined that the review would not include changes to the ABC charter, advertising restrictions nor consider any merger between the ABC and SBS.

The review will also consider ways to prevent any potential cuts or political interference in the future and it will provide advice to the government later this year.