This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/media/live/2018/sep/26/abc-crisis-justin-milne-calls-resign-michelle-guthrie-coalition-live
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Government announces inquiry into ABC turmoil – live | Government announces inquiry into ABC turmoil – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Right, we’ll leave it here for the night I think. Bit of a day, eh? What began with an explosive story in the Fairfax papers has roiled and rumbled into a full-blown crisis of leadership at the public broadcaster. | |
| The ABC chairman, Justin Milne, is facing calls to resign from his own staff, two inquiries into his behaviour and has received virtually no public support. | |
| He’s digging his heels in though. Knowing the ABC Act makes him virtually unsackable, he’s so-far refusing to step down. | |
| Here’s a recap of how today unfolded: | |
| The day started with the explosive revelation that Milne sent an email to the now-departed ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie in May in which he appeared to suggest she sack high-profile reporter Emma Alberici. “[the government] hate her,” he wrote. “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.” | |
| Alberici told ABC radio it was “disappointing” and “very disturbing”. Milne sent the email the day after the former Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, sent an 11-point email to the ABC complaining about Alberici’s reporting. | |
| Milne issued his own statement in which he did not deny the allegations, but said: 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. That is precisely what the board has done and will continue to do.” | |
| A host of high-profile media figures - including the head of the journalist’s union Paul Murphy and former ABC chairman and managing director David Hill - called on Milne to step aside, citing suggestions of political interference in the public broadcaster. | |
| At 1pm staff at the ABC in Sydney held a meeting - attended by hundreds of staff - in which they unanimously called for Milne to step aside pending an investigation into his actions. They were followed by staff in Melbourne. In Brisbane, ABC staff called for his immediate resignation. | |
| Labor and the Greens said they would initiate a Senate committee inquiry into allegations of political interference at the ABC. The opposition leader, Bill Shorten, said Milne’s position was “untenable”. | |
| The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, then announced he had instructed the secretary of his department to run its own investigation into the allegations levelled at Milne. | |
| After an emergency phone hook-up with board members, Milne refused to budge. He sent a text message to ABC journalist Rafael Epstein saying he would not stand-down. | |
| Thanks for reading. I’ll leave you with this image of someone’s lovely lunch at Sydney restaurant Rockpool today. | |
| Love Rockpool. Love old friends. #Sydney pic.twitter.com/Zy61l4rTWc | |
| Finally, he’s asked how he dealt with the inevitable political pressure that ABC employees face. (Sorry, I feel like a fanboy, but when Kerry speaks ...) | Finally, he’s asked how he dealt with the inevitable political pressure that ABC employees face. (Sorry, I feel like a fanboy, but when Kerry speaks ...) |
| The only way to do a job like that is to have an eye fixed on the horizon and walk a straight line. That’s what you do. To listen to the white noise, beyond obviously needing to know what’s going on around you, but to be affected by it is slow death. | The only way to do a job like that is to have an eye fixed on the horizon and walk a straight line. That’s what you do. To listen to the white noise, beyond obviously needing to know what’s going on around you, but to be affected by it is slow death. |
| “I’m not Robinson Crusoe. I would like to think that’s the only way any journalist would conduct themselves. It’s part of the ethos of the place; it is a part of its survival mechanism. We cannot afford to be seen to be compromised.” | “I’m not Robinson Crusoe. I would like to think that’s the only way any journalist would conduct themselves. It’s part of the ethos of the place; it is a part of its survival mechanism. We cannot afford to be seen to be compromised.” |
| More from O’Brien. He notes this is not the first time the ABC has stared down editorial interference. | More from O’Brien. He notes this is not the first time the ABC has stared down editorial interference. |
| I think the whole issue of how the board is appointed has been a vexed one for along time. Both sides of politics have got their hands dirty at times. | I think the whole issue of how the board is appointed has been a vexed one for along time. Both sides of politics have got their hands dirty at times. |
| “But there is a kind of trust in this process. We don’t talk about the audience enough but the ABC has a proud history of independence. And it has withstood pressures in the past – and we know pressures have been applied in the past at various times going back to when I was a young journalist in the early 70s. | “But there is a kind of trust in this process. We don’t talk about the audience enough but the ABC has a proud history of independence. And it has withstood pressures in the past – and we know pressures have been applied in the past at various times going back to when I was a young journalist in the early 70s. |
| “But we have survived and prospered as an institution because people feel confident that they can have a trust that what they are seeing on the air or hearing on the air has been professionally put together in the pursuit of excellence, in the pursuit of accuracy and in the pursuit of fairness and balance. | “But we have survived and prospered as an institution because people feel confident that they can have a trust that what they are seeing on the air or hearing on the air has been professionally put together in the pursuit of excellence, in the pursuit of accuracy and in the pursuit of fairness and balance. |
| “If that trust is eroded by this process that we are seeing now, then I think that’s not only a tragedy, it’s just an appalling piece of sabotage.” | “If that trust is eroded by this process that we are seeing now, then I think that’s not only a tragedy, it’s just an appalling piece of sabotage.” |
| The veteran ABC broadcaster and former 7.30 Report host Kerry O’Brien is speaking on the ABC Drum program. | The veteran ABC broadcaster and former 7.30 Report host Kerry O’Brien is speaking on the ABC Drum program. |
| Unsurprisingly, he’s taken a dim view of Milne’s reported actions. | Unsurprisingly, he’s taken a dim view of Milne’s reported actions. |
| He either knew what he was doing and that’s reprehensible or he was dangerously naive and that’s reprehensible. I don’t think he has a place to hide if this is true.” | He either knew what he was doing and that’s reprehensible or he was dangerously naive and that’s reprehensible. I don’t think he has a place to hide if this is true.” |
| He’s also noted the difficulty of removing Milne if he refuses to go. | He’s also noted the difficulty of removing Milne if he refuses to go. |
| He can’t be removed. He has to come to this view of his own volition [and] there’s an enormous weight of responsibility that goes on the rest of the board now once they have established the veracity of this email ... The onus is on them to basically tell him he should go.” | He can’t be removed. He has to come to this view of his own volition [and] there’s an enormous weight of responsibility that goes on the rest of the board now once they have established the veracity of this email ... The onus is on them to basically tell him he should go.” |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | “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.” | “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. | 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 | .@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. | 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. | 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 | #BREAKING ABC Chairman Justin Milne tells @abcnews he's staying put #auspol @politicsabc |
| BREAKINGMilne staying as Chair of course. Whoops, (not MD) | 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/j5Vg7U4i85 | 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/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 @SkyNewsAust | 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 @SkyNewsAust |
| Russell Crowe weighs in. | Russell Crowe weighs in. |
| Bye Justin . Thanks for your efforts. https://t.co/lO0ACludTf | Bye 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/vkPcUVfJ7y | ABC 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. Unanimous | ABC Melbourne meeting just passed same resolution as Ultimo meeting. Unanimous |