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Bill Shorten says Milne's position 'untenable' as Labor says it will support inquiry – live Government announces inquiry into ABC turmoil – live
(35 minutes later)
Milne may now be dealing with two inquiries. The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, has just released a statement revealing he’s asked for a departmental inquiry into Milne’s email to Guthrie over Alberici.
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.
“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.”
The Greens media spokeswoman, Sarah Hanson-Young, confirms the Greens will join Labor in moving for a Senate inquiry into political interference at the ABC. She says it’s possible hearings could happen before parliament next sits in a little over a fortnight.
.@sarahinthesen8 on @Greens calling for Senate inquiry into alleged political interference with ABC: We’re in talks with Labor, and I’ve seen some positive communications back from them this afternoon saying they want an inquiry.MORE: https://t.co/aOH6lsMsgA #speers pic.twitter.com/LrQlfe4WZU
The ABC is reporting Milne is digging his heels in and won’t resign.
After an emergency phone hook-up with board members today, the beleaguered chairman is refusing to quit.
#BREAKING ABC Chairman Justin Milne tells @abcnews he's staying put #auspol @politicsabc
BREAKINGMilne staying as Chair of course. Whoops, (not MD)
A small but important detail on the chairman’s position, given the events of today.A small but important detail on the chairman’s position, given the events of today.
Should Milne decide not to heed calls for his resignation, the ABC act provides for the governor general to remove the chairman.Should Milne decide not to heed calls for his resignation, the ABC act provides for the governor general to remove the chairman.
“The governor general may remove a non‑executive director from office for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.”“The governor general may remove a non‑executive director from office for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.”
Interesting intervention from one of the ABC’s hardest-hitting investigative journalists, Caro Meldrum-Hanna.Interesting intervention from one of the ABC’s hardest-hitting investigative journalists, Caro Meldrum-Hanna.
The now-infamous email from Milne to Guthrie was reportedly sent on 8 May. On 7 May, Malcolm Turnbull had sent a list of 11 grievances to the ABC’s news director, Gaven Morris, about Alberici’s innovation article.The now-infamous email from Milne to Guthrie was reportedly sent on 8 May. On 7 May, Malcolm Turnbull had sent a list of 11 grievances to the ABC’s news director, Gaven Morris, about Alberici’s innovation article.
When was the alleged email from Milne regarding @albericie sent? I’m told it may have been sent in May after this story was published about the Government's innovation policy: https://t.co/j5Vg7U4i85When was the alleged email from Milne regarding @albericie sent? I’m told it may have been sent in May after this story was published about the Government's innovation policy: https://t.co/j5Vg7U4i85
The Labor leader, Bill Shorten, has weighed in, blaming the government for making Milne’s position “untenable”.The Labor leader, Bill Shorten, has weighed in, blaming the government for making Milne’s position “untenable”.
No political party has the right to interfere like this with the ABC. No journalist should be sacked at the request of a political party.No political party has the right to interfere like this with the ABC. No journalist should be sacked at the request of a political party.
“It’s time for the Liberal party to back off. The ABC is owned by Australians, not the Liberal party.“It’s time for the Liberal party to back off. The ABC is owned by Australians, not the Liberal party.
“I’ll always fight for its independence.”“I’ll always fight for its independence.”
At the same time, Labor’s communications spokeswoman, Michelle Rowland, has confirmed Labor will move to establish a Senate inquiry into political interference at the ABC. The Greens will support it too. Because it’s voted on within committee and doesn’t need a full Senate vote, it means it has the numbers.At the same time, Labor’s communications spokeswoman, Michelle Rowland, has confirmed Labor will move to establish a Senate inquiry into political interference at the ABC. The Greens will support it too. Because it’s voted on within committee and doesn’t need a full Senate vote, it means it has the numbers.
Some movement out of Canberra. Sky is reporting the ALP will support a motion for an urgent Senate inquiry into the situation at the ABC, meaning Milne would be compelled to answer questions.Some movement out of Canberra. Sky is reporting the ALP will support a motion for an urgent Senate inquiry into the situation at the ABC, meaning Milne would be compelled to answer questions.
Confirmed: Labor will support an urgent Senate enquiry into the ABC crisis that would see the ABC Chairman compelled to answer questions about political interference @SkyNewsAustConfirmed: Labor will support an urgent Senate enquiry into the ABC crisis that would see the ABC Chairman compelled to answer questions about political interference @SkyNewsAust
Russell Crowe weighs in.Russell Crowe weighs in.
Bye Justin . Thanks for your efforts. https://t.co/lO0ACludTfBye Justin . Thanks for your efforts. https://t.co/lO0ACludTf
This from Richard Glover, the host of ABC Sydney Drive. He says “the who, where and how” behind the Milne email still need answering.This from Richard Glover, the host of ABC Sydney Drive. He says “the who, where and how” behind the Milne email still need answering.
Justin Milne is only half the story. His email implies someone gave him cause to believe ABC funding was linked to the current government getting its way. That's the who, where and how that needs answering.Justin Milne is only half the story. His email implies someone gave him cause to believe ABC funding was linked to the current government getting its way. That's the who, where and how that needs answering.
Here’s the full motion passed by ABC staff in Melbourne.Here’s the full motion passed by ABC staff in Melbourne.
ABC staff in Melbourne are calling for the chairman, Justin Milne, to stand aside while an independent inquiry takes place.ABC staff in Melbourne are calling for the chairman, Justin Milne, to stand aside while an independent inquiry takes place.
“The ABC is, and always has been, a fiercely loyal independent news organisation and it is of no concern to our program makers or journalists whether they are hated by any government.“The ABC is, and always has been, a fiercely loyal independent news organisation and it is of no concern to our program makers or journalists whether they are hated by any government.
“We are dismayed that the chairman of our own board is exerting political pressure behind closed doors.”“We are dismayed that the chairman of our own board is exerting political pressure behind closed doors.”
ABC staff in Melbourne have unanimously passed this motion about Justin Milne. Protect your ABC.@abcnews @abcmelbourne pic.twitter.com/vkPcUVfJ7yABC staff in Melbourne have unanimously passed this motion about Justin Milne. Protect your ABC.@abcnews @abcmelbourne pic.twitter.com/vkPcUVfJ7y
Per journalist Margaret Simons, Melbourne ABC staff have passed the same resolution as Sydney.Per journalist Margaret Simons, Melbourne ABC staff have passed the same resolution as Sydney.
They want an independent inquiry into the allegations against Milne, and have called on him to stand down in the interim.They want an independent inquiry into the allegations against Milne, and have called on him to stand down in the interim.
ABC Melbourne meeting just passed same resolution as Ultimo meeting. UnanimousABC Melbourne meeting just passed same resolution as Ultimo meeting. Unanimous
ABC staff are now meeting at their Melbourne headquarters at Southbank.
Meeting now in Southbank lobby#Guthrie #auspol pic.twitter.com/Bxvq1P4j52
Gosh, I missed this earlier. Andrew Bolt has also called for Milne to resign. The famous alliance between Australia’s rightwing cause célèbre, the Labor party and the journalists’ union holds strong. Erhm.
Confirmation the ABC union meeting was genuinely moved because there were puppies in the foyer. I’m sure a more Aunty thing has happened, but nothing is immediately springing to mind.
While the @withMEAA meeting took place at work today, I was too busy playing with these little guys!! #priorities pic.twitter.com/QuFGQ9bL4c
Hands off ABC! pic.twitter.com/hTv9zFFYd4
A little more from inside that meeting from our reporter Lisa Martin:
Stephen Long called for the chairman to stand aside while an investigation is carried out.
“Our board of executives needs to protect us from political interference from Canberra.”
Greg Miskelly, the branch president of the MEAA at ABC Ultimo, said:
“This is a situation that no journalist from across Australia can stand for.
“Political interference in any form of journalism is akin to state control of the media.
“We don’t know what has happened, we don’t know what the facts are.
“The response from Justin Milne has been inadequate.”
Lol https://t.co/2Je8HVXwQ0
The excellent Amanda Meade has just published this cracker.
The ABC chairman, Justin Milne, vehemently opposed moving the Hottest 100 away from Australia Day and tried to convince the ABC board to reverse the Triple J decision, saying “Malcolm [Turnbull] will go ballistic”, she writes.
Reaction from a Triple J journalist below, too.
FYI - the decision to move the #Hottest100 was made after extensive consultation with triple j's audience. We received nearly 65,000 responses, of which 60% were in favour of celebrating the countdown on a different date.
Staff at the ABC in Brisbane have gone further with their motion, calling on Milne to “immediately resign” if the reporting on his email to Guthrie is true.
“This meeting calls on the chairman to publicly acknowledge if the political interference in the reported email is true and, if so, immediately resign from his position.”
Passed unanimously by #ABC union members in Brisbane about Justin Milne:“This meeting calls on the chairman to publicly acknowledge if the political interference in the reported email is true and, if so, immediately resign from his position”. pic.twitter.com/P8Pi07LDZg
ABC staff have moved their meeting outside. Our reporter at the scene, Lisa Martin, tells me staff chanted “hands off the ABC”.
Hundreds of ABC staff have walked out of the building after passing a motion calling for Chairman Justin Milne to stand down while there’s an independent inquiry. pic.twitter.com/XTmM7T4oXl
More from that National Press Club speech being given by Greens leader Richard Di Natale.
Di Natale says there is an argument for calling ABC board directors sooner than Senate estimates. Chairman's email shows problem not with Alberici's journalism but a "problem with the Liberal party hating the journalist", he says. #auspol #npc