Senate inquiry recommends ‘formal review’ of Michelle Guthrie sacking

A Senate inquiry has made recommendations after their inquiry into the ABC.

Former ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie fronts the inquiry in Parliament House in Canberra late last year. Picture: Gary Ramage

A parliamentary report into allegations of political interference in the ABC has recommended that the public broadcaster’s board review the events leading up to managing director Michelle Guthrie’s sacking in September and the subsequent fallout.

The Environment and Communications References Committee — which was charged by the Senate in October to investigate the allegations — said the board should “formally review” the lead up to Ms Guthrie’s axing over her performance, and her subsequent allegations of political interference by then chairman Justin Milne.

“Based on the information provided to the inquiry, the committee accepts that the ABC board made its decision without reference to real or perceived political interference (of which they had little knowledge). “This is not to say that such interference was absent from the corporation,” the committee said in their 84-page report.

The committee, which was chaired by Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, acknowledged that the allegations of political interference against Mr Milne were preceded by government complaints that extended over some months.

“During this time ABC board members were aware of a declining relationship between the former chair and former MD.

“The committee is astounded that the ABC board did not make further inquiries — both before and after presentation of the dossier — about the source of this tension that was so clearly impacting the corporation and which clearly could have, and did jeopardise, the independence of key personnel,” the committee said in their report, which was released this afternoon.

The committee also recommended a string of changes to the ABC’s 1983 Act, including an amendment to define the term “consult” to ensure that the Prime Minister provides the Opposition leader with information about the outcome of the nomination panel recruitment chair process and any alternate nominee. Plus, the opportunity to discuss a proposed recommendation for appointment.

It also recommended that the ABC’s selection criteria for the appointment of non-executive directors be amended, and to require the PM to table a statement advising parliament “on the extent and outcome of consultations” the opposition leader.

The other committee members included, Liberal senator Jonathon Duniam, Labor senator Anthony Chisholm, Labor senator Kristina Keneally ALP, Nationals senator Steve Martin and Labor senator Anne Urquhart. Independent senator Tim Storer was a “participating member” of the inquiry.