ABC board needs a reset

The ABC needs a fresh start to move past this horror week for the board dogged by continued allegations of political interference, the Greens say.
"It's not a matter of if, but when, chair Justin Milne vacates his position at the head of the ABC board. To give the ABC a fresh start and set it back on track, the next chair must be appointed with bipartisan support," Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"The ABC's independence, and the ability for its journalists to do their jobs without fear or favour, must be paramount. This is not possible under a chair hand-picked by whoever the Prime Minister is.
"Mr Milne's position is untenable, and his board has been implicated. To save the ABC, restore integrity and the community's faith in the organisation, the board needs a clean-up.
"It is the Australian people the ABC should serve, not the Prime Minister of the day. Any board member, including the chair, that thinks or acts otherwise should re-think their position.
"This whole mess must be investigated by a senate inquiry as a matter of urgency. The Greens will be working with Labor and the crossbench to ensure this happens.
"The ABC is part of our national fabric. From budget cuts, legislative attacks, public undermining and the apparent willingness of the ABC Board to sacrifice journalists to appease the Government, the only way we can maintain the ABC's independence and restore faith in the community is to kick this Government out."

September 27

Greens to seek urgent inquiry into ABC Board political interference

The Australian Greens are calling for an urgent senate hearing with the ABC board to investigate political interference with staffing and reporting at the broadcaster.

"The ABC must be free of political interference. Revelations that the ABC chair demanded a journalist be sacked to appease the Government must be investigated as a matter of urgency," Greens communications spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"The chair of the ABC board has lost the faith of ABC staff and the trust of the Australian people in his gross attempt to get a journalist sacked.

"The Greens will work with Labor and other senators to form an urgent inquiry to question the ABC board and Justin Milne.

"Until we have transparency and clarity over what has happened and the extent of the political interference, a cloud will remain over the ABC's future independence.

"He has overstepped the mark and betrayed the independence of our public broadcaster. Mr Milne must stand aside, and his conduct must be investigated."

September 26, 2018