List of final candidates for role of ABC chair includes Peter Tonagh, Louise Herron and David Kirk
Anthony Albanese is expected to resist the urge to opt for a ‘captain’s pick’ to replace Ita Buttrose as the next chair of the ABC | THE CONTENDERS
Anthony Albanese is expected to resist the urge to opt for a “captain’s pick” for the next chair of the ABC, with the Prime Minister likely to choose a replacement for outgoing figurehead Ita Buttrose from the list of three candidates put forward by the independent nomination panel.
The four-person panel has concluded the months-long interviewing process.
The Australian understands that the three names on its list of preferred candidates forwarded to Mr Albanese are Louise Herron, the current chief executive of the Sydney Opera House; Peter Tonagh, the former Foxtel boss who is the current deputy chair of the ABC board; and New Zealander David Kirk, who had a three-year stint as chief executive of Fairfax Media (publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review) before it merged with Nine Entertainment.
Other figures that have been the subject of speculation in recent weeks include Gilbert + Tobin’s co-founder Danny Gilbert, former Macquarie boss Nicholas Moore, acclaimed television producer Anita Jacoby, businessman David Gonski and even one-time PM Julia Gillard.
However, The Australian understands that the list presented to the government has been whittled down to just Mr Tonagh, Mr Kirk and Ms Herron.
Mr Tonagh and Mr Kirk could not be reached on Sunday; Ms Herron declined to comment.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister also declined to comment.
But government insiders, not authorised to speak publicly, told The Australian that it was unlikely that Mr Albanese would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Scott Morrison, who in February 2019 appointed Ita Buttrose to the position of ABC chair.
While the actual appointment of Ms Buttrose was generally welcomed, there were grumblings that Mr Morrison had snubbed the accepted selection process of choosing the ABC chair from a list of possible candidates put forward by an independent panel.
Given Mr Albanese’s precarious position in the polls, it is unlikely that he would risk an electoral backlash at this point in the political cycle by opting for a captain’s pick.
A senior figure within the ABC, who asked not to be named, said “a lot is riding” on Mr Albanese’s decision.
“The PM really has to get this right,” the ABC insider said.
“The ABC is at a crucial point in its growth.
“We haven’t been able to evolve with audiences, and we’re losing them.
“We’re too stuck in our ways,” the ABC source said.
“The government has an opportunity to put someone in who will make a difference and who will be able to guide the board to make the right decisions for the future.
“If the PM doesn’t put someone in with Ita’s kind of experience or depth of knowledge of the broadcast industry it would be a big mistake.
“The ABC is on the cusp of being irrelevant or brilliant — that’s how fine the line is.
“But it starts with getting the right person at the top. Ita’s been great behind the scenes, but we can’t afford to go backwards.”
One candidate for the role said the interview process for the role of ABC chair was “arduous”, although the interviews themselves only lasted for 30 minutes. That candidate told The Australian that the independent panel seemed to be valuing broadcasting experience above all else.
Ms Buttrose’s five-year tenure as ABC chair concludes on March 6. It is expected that Mr Albanese – who is legally obliged to consult with the Opposition Leader of the day on his choice of ABC chair — will announce the appointment in February.
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