PM orders ABC probe as Labor, Greens push for Senate inquiry

The PM has ordered an inquiry into ABC chairman Justin Milne’s conduct after revelations he told former MD Michelle Guthrie to “get rid of” journalist Emma Alberici.

The Morrison government has asked the communications department to launch an urgent investigation into the conduct of ABC chairman Justin Milne, following revelations he told former managing director Michelle Guthrie to “get rid of” journalist Emma Alberici.

Labor and the Greens will also push to set up a Senate inquiry into the machinations at the very top of the public broadcaster and alleged “political interference”.

“Having met with the Prime Minister this afternoon, I have asked the secretary of the Department of Communications and the Arts to undertake an inquiry to establish the facts in relation to today’s media reports surrounding the ABC,” Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said.

“The secretary will report his findings to me as soon as possible. It is important for the community to have confidence in the independence of the ABC.”

Greens leader Richard Di Natale said the party was looking at options to call ABC management staff and possibly board members before federal parliament to scrutinise the extraordinary developments over the last few days.

Opposition communications spokeswoman Michelle Rowland also confirmed Labor would seek parliament’s support to establish a Senate inquiry “into the Liberal government’s political interference at the ABC”.

Former ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie, right and ABC Chairman Justin Milne. Picture: AAP

“Media reports outline an extraordinary situation in which the independence and integrity of Australia’s most trusted news organisation risk having been compromised,” she said.

“The ABC is a public broadcaster, not a state broadcaster and Australians have a right to know what is going on. A Senate inquiry, if established, will help give Australians this knowledge — because the Liberals won’t be honest and upfront about their interference.”

Ms Guthrie was forced to defend ABC staff, including Alberici, several times on grounds of free speech and editorial independence, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Mr Milne emailed Ms Guthrie about Alberici on May 8, an email later circulated to board members in the week before the managing director was fired.

“They (the government) hate her,” Mr Milne said in the email, which according to Fairfax Media was responding to a complaint from former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull about Alberici’s political coverage.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale. Picture: AAP

“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.”

Senator Di Natale said the circumstances surrounding Ms Guthrie’s sacking were “pretty remarkable” and the alleged “political pressure” from Mr Turnbull was problematic.

“We’re learning that what drove that decision (to sack Ms Guthrie) was political pressure from the government on the chairman who clearly has a relationship with members of the Liberal Party,” Senator Di Natale alleged in an address to the National Press Club.

“(Mr Milne) has put in writing, if those reports are correct, that the problem wasn’t with the journalism. The problem was with the Liberal Party hating the journalists and being held to account. We can’t allow that to happen.

“The ABC charter is very clear. It needs to be independent of political influence and we are going to need to get to the bottom of what happened, who said what to whom, who’s lying.”

Mr Milne and Mr Turnbull are friends and former business partners.

In a statement released this morning Mr Milne said his actions were part of the role of ABC chairman. “The job of the ABC Board is to independently govern the Corporation, protect its best interests, ensure that it is well funded, well managed and that our content is of the highest standards,’’ Mr Milne said. “That is precisely what the Board has done and will continue to do. I do not propose to provide a running commentary on day to day issues which arise in pursuit of our duties.”

At Senate estimates in May, questions were put to the ABC’s editorial director Alan Sunderland on behalf of then managing director Ms Guthrie — who was away with a “significant family commitment” — and chief financial and strategy officer Louise Higgins.

Greens senator Janet Rice chairs the Senate references committee on environment and communications, which could potentially set up the inquiry and is dominated by Greens and Labor senators.

Senator Di Natale also announced plans to “lock in” funding for the ABC and SBS through legislation so “no future government can unilaterally cut it as a political favour to the ABC’s opponents”.