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Fifield declines to say whether Justin Milne should remain ABC chairman – live Fifield declines to say whether Justin Milne should remain ABC chairman – live
(35 minutes later)
On whether the inquiry ordered by Mitch Fifield is enough, Tanya Plibersek gives a pretty good, yeah, nah:
The proposition here is the government has tried to politically interfere with the ABC. Why would we be satisfied with a political investigation of it?,” she said.
Speaking at a press conference where Labor is calling for the banking royal commission to be extended, Tanya Plibersek says it is “difficult to see”, if the allegations are proved, how Justin Milne can remain in his position.
Well, the revelations that we’ve heard about political interference in the ABC over the last 24 hours, frankly, are quite shocking. I think it says a lot more about the government than it says about the ABC to hear these sorts of revelations. People need to remember the ABC is not the propaganda arm of the Liberal party of Australia. It’s our national broadcaster. Australians love their ABC. They are, rightly, very protective of its integrity and independence. And if these revelations are correct, it is difficult to see how the chair of the board can remain the chair.
Meanwhile, Sarah Hanson-Young, the Greens communications spokeswoman, said the whole ABC board should consider it’s position:
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.
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.
Anthony Albanese had a chat to Chris Kenny on Sydney radio 2GB this morning about the ABC and the Justin Milne email:
But this email, if it is proven to be true, and one would suggest that if it wasn’t Mr Milne would have stated that by now - he has been given the opportunity and has failed to do so, then it is a pretty clear breach of saying essentially that in order to appease the government a journalist, Emma Alberici, must be dismissed.
You may remember there is a chance of duelling inquiries into the ABC revelations – Mitch Fifield has ordered his departmental secretary to investigate whether there has been any interference, while Labor and the Greens look like having the numbers to launch a parliamentary inquiry of their own.
Fifield yesterday said he wants the results of his departmental investigation “as soon as possible”.
Today he said he hopes that is “days, not weeks”.
Hello all, and thank you to Katharine Murphy for getting today’s ship up and running.
While we wait to see what Scott Morrison and Michelle Rowland have to say, it’s worth checking in with ABC staff.
The ABC Radio Melbourne presenter Rafael Epstein has an update on what the ABC board is doing:
ALSO Shared with him the Board’s view of the staff and Canberra. IMPORTANT : Board will not be issuing demands or telling him what to do. MY READ : Milne’s future is still in his hands but some on board not happy
Thank you for indulging my brisk re-entry into live coverage. It’s been tremendous. Handing over now to the wonderful Amy Remeikis. The current prime minister, Scott Morrison, is due to speak to the media this morning, as is the shadow communications minister, Michelle Rowland.
Stay tuned.
Before we get to what Turnbull said to reporters in New York, just a bit a background. Milne, the ABC chairman, was appointed to the position last year, and he was formerly in business with Turnbull.
Turnbull said the following. (Of course I said stuff. But not too much. And in any case, I’m not the decision maker.)
Malcolm Turnbull:
As is a matter of public record, we did complain about the very poor standards of journalism, and lack of accuracy of journalism shown on a number of occasions by ABC journalists.
The chairman of the ABC and the managing director of the ABC and the director of news at the ABC are talking to politicians, and other members of the public, presumably, all the time.
Just as the executives and news directors and editors of the private sector media are — it’s very important to be engaged. But the decisions about staff or any other matters that are within the jurisdiction of the board, are taken by the board independent of government.
I’m still laughing about Malcolm Turnbull being mellow, just quietly. I’ll catch you up with the former prime minister’s comments in the next post.I’m still laughing about Malcolm Turnbull being mellow, just quietly. I’ll catch you up with the former prime minister’s comments in the next post.
In addition to the events Murph has just recapped, the ABC staff are also very active. While ABC staff had separate state union meetings across the country on Wednesday, today they will have a national phone hookup to decide what action to take next. In addition to the events Murph has just recapped, the ABC staff are also very active. While staff had separate state union meetings across the country on Wednesday, today they will have a national phone hookup to decide what action to take next.
The ABC staff have called for Milne to step aside until an inquiry has been held in to the allegations he called for journalists to be sacked. The ABC staff have called for Milne to step aside until an inquiry has been held into the allegations he called for journalists to be sacked.
Now Fifield has concluded his press conference, let’s catch up on where things are with the ABC story. Sorry, sometimes you just have to dive in and catch up later. Now that Mitch Fifield has concluded his press conference, let’s catch up on where things are with the ABC story. Sorry, sometimes you just have to dive in then catch up later.
If you haven’t followed the events over the past couple of days, this fracas was sparked by the sacking of the ABC’s managing director, Michelle Guthrie, by the ABC board on Monday.If you haven’t followed the events over the past couple of days, this fracas was sparked by the sacking of the ABC’s managing director, Michelle Guthrie, by the ABC board on Monday.
The story quickly escalated from Guthrie being shown the door (for not very clearly articulated reasons) to the conduct of the chair of the ABC board, Justin Milne. The story quickly escalated from Guthrie being shown the door (for not very clearly articulated reasons) to the conduct of the board’s chair, Justin Milne.
Guardian Australia’s media correspondent Amanda Meade reports this morning that Milne regularly spoke to executives, including the corporation’s news director, Gaven Morris, about contentious stories or content he didn’t approve of. Guardian Australia’s media correspondent, Amanda Meade, reports this morning that Milne regularly spoke to executives, including the corporation’s news director, Gaven Morris, about contentious stories or content he didn’t approve of.
Milne has found himself under growing pressure following reports on Wednesday morning that he told Guthrie to “get rid of” chief economics correspondent Emma Alberici because the Coalition government “hate her”. Milne has found himself under growing pressure after reports on Wednesday morning that he told Guthrie to “get rid of” the chief economics correspondent, Emma Alberici, because the Coalition government “hate her”.
There is also a separate News Corp report this morning that Milne asked Guthrie to “shoot” the ABC’s Canberra-based political editor Andrew Probyn because Malcolm Turnbull hated him. There is also a separate News Corp report this morning that Milne asked Guthrie to “shoot” the ABC’s Canberra-based political editor, Andrew Probyn, because Malcolm Turnbull hated him.
Now why does this matter? Because the ABC is supposed to be independent of government, and not subject to random acts of political interference. Now, why does this matter? Because the ABC is supposed to be independent of government, and not subject to random acts of political interference.
The ABC board is meeting today, minus the chairman.The ABC board is meeting today, minus the chairman.
If you want someone to remain in their position, you say they should remain in their position.If you want someone to remain in their position, you say they should remain in their position.
What did Fifield say? *Crickets*What did Fifield say? *Crickets*
The journalists get to the nub of the issue.The journalists get to the nub of the issue.
The non-answer from the communications minister tells you everything you need to know about the trajectory of today.The non-answer from the communications minister tells you everything you need to know about the trajectory of today.
Q: Do you think Justin Milne should stay in his position?Q: Do you think Justin Milne should stay in his position?
Mitch Fifield:Mitch Fifield:
Well, it’s a matter for every high office holder to continually assess whether they retain the capacity to effectively discharge the duties of their office.Well, it’s a matter for every high office holder to continually assess whether they retain the capacity to effectively discharge the duties of their office.
Fifield is not in a position to suggest the government has been hands off with the ABC, because there is plenty of evidence to suggest otherwise. Complaints. Negative public commentary. Anyone watching politics closely knows the Turnbull government had a minor industry going in bagging the ABC and the performance of particular journalists.Fifield is not in a position to suggest the government has been hands off with the ABC, because there is plenty of evidence to suggest otherwise. Complaints. Negative public commentary. Anyone watching politics closely knows the Turnbull government had a minor industry going in bagging the ABC and the performance of particular journalists.
So Fifield steps through this carefully.So Fifield steps through this carefully.
Q: Have you actually demanded the journalist specifically, or any journalist, for that matter, to be sacked or have any involvement in decisions to be reversed at the ABC?Q: Have you actually demanded the journalist specifically, or any journalist, for that matter, to be sacked or have any involvement in decisions to be reversed at the ABC?
Mitch Fifield:Mitch Fifield:
I have never, in any way, shape or form, sought to involve myself in staffing matters at the ABC. I have never called for or sought the end of the employment of anyone at the ABC, or any media organisation, for that matter.I have never, in any way, shape or form, sought to involve myself in staffing matters at the ABC. I have never called for or sought the end of the employment of anyone at the ABC, or any media organisation, for that matter.
Q: Have you ever raised concerns relating to one particular journalist, though, or have you any raised the names of any particular journalist with any ABC senior members?Q: Have you ever raised concerns relating to one particular journalist, though, or have you any raised the names of any particular journalist with any ABC senior members?
Mitch Fifield:Mitch Fifield:
I have only ever raised with the ABC matters in relation to facts in reporting. I think I’ve done so on half a dozen occasions since I’ve been the minister and those occasions are all very well known.I have only ever raised with the ABC matters in relation to facts in reporting. I think I’ve done so on half a dozen occasions since I’ve been the minister and those occasions are all very well known.
Q: But you’ve named particular journalists in your inquiries?Q: But you’ve named particular journalists in your inquiries?
Mitch Fifield:Mitch Fifield:
In correspondence to the ABC, where I have had issues of fact in reporting, clearly, I’ve made reference to the particular reporter.In correspondence to the ABC, where I have had issues of fact in reporting, clearly, I’ve made reference to the particular reporter.
Q: If that’s not exerting influence, what is?Q: If that’s not exerting influence, what is?
Mitch Fifield:Mitch Fifield:
Any member of parliament and any member of the community is perfectly within their rights to raise with any media organisation when they think they’ve made an error of fact. Part of the way that a free, open and democratic press operates is that the press should be free to go about their business but, equally, citizens, including members of parliament, should have the freedom to raise issues when it comes to questions of fact in media reporting.Any member of parliament and any member of the community is perfectly within their rights to raise with any media organisation when they think they’ve made an error of fact. Part of the way that a free, open and democratic press operates is that the press should be free to go about their business but, equally, citizens, including members of parliament, should have the freedom to raise issues when it comes to questions of fact in media reporting.
Q: You’re the communications minister. Surely your work carries a lot more weight than the average bystander on the street who’s responding to an article and raising questions about an inaccuracy – surely you would have known that perhaps your concerns about the article would have had a stronger impact on the organisation than anybody else?Q: You’re the communications minister. Surely your work carries a lot more weight than the average bystander on the street who’s responding to an article and raising questions about an inaccuracy – surely you would have known that perhaps your concerns about the article would have had a stronger impact on the organisation than anybody else?
Mitch Fifield:Mitch Fifield:
I would hope that the media organisations in Australia take equally seriously questions of fact that are raised, regardless of who raises them.I would hope that the media organisations in Australia take equally seriously questions of fact that are raised, regardless of who raises them.
The questions from journalists are all directed at trying to ascertain the extent to which the then Turnbull government tried to exert editorial influence at the national broadcaster.The questions from journalists are all directed at trying to ascertain the extent to which the then Turnbull government tried to exert editorial influence at the national broadcaster.
Malcolm Turnbull has made some comments overnight which I’ll return to shortly in catching us all up. Fifield can be quite a droll fellow periodically.Malcolm Turnbull has made some comments overnight which I’ll return to shortly in catching us all up. Fifield can be quite a droll fellow periodically.
Q: Are you aware that Malcolm Turnbull harboured any hatred towards any ABC reporters?Q: Are you aware that Malcolm Turnbull harboured any hatred towards any ABC reporters?
Mitch Fifield:Mitch Fifield:
The former prime minister is a very mellow individual.The former prime minister is a very mellow individual.
He only, to my knowledge, has raised issues of fact in relation to reports by journalists.He only, to my knowledge, has raised issues of fact in relation to reports by journalists.
I’ll recap at the end of this press conference to ensure we are all up to speed. Let’s push forward for now.I’ll recap at the end of this press conference to ensure we are all up to speed. Let’s push forward for now.
The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, made these opening remarks a minute ago.The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, made these opening remarks a minute ago.
This has been a difficult week for the ABC but it’s important that its work continues. The ABC is one of the important underpinnings of media diversity in Australia.This has been a difficult week for the ABC but it’s important that its work continues. The ABC is one of the important underpinnings of media diversity in Australia.
The ABC makes a significant contribution to civic journalism in Australia and to the important accountability role of the Australian media. The independence of the ABC is something that this government is deeply committed to.The ABC makes a significant contribution to civic journalism in Australia and to the important accountability role of the Australian media. The independence of the ABC is something that this government is deeply committed to.
The ABC has legislated independence in relation to operational programming, editorial and staffing matters and, as the minister for communications, I have always respected the independence of the ABC.The ABC has legislated independence in relation to operational programming, editorial and staffing matters and, as the minister for communications, I have always respected the independence of the ABC.
Like most members of parliament, I have, on occasion, raised with the ABC issues of facts in reporting, as indeed I’ve done with commercial media organisations.Like most members of parliament, I have, on occasion, raised with the ABC issues of facts in reporting, as indeed I’ve done with commercial media organisations.
But, at no stage, and in no way, shape or form, have I ever sought to involve myself in staffing matters in the ABC, nor, for that matter, am I aware of any member of the government who has sought to do so and that includes the former prime minister who has spoken to these matters overnight.But, at no stage, and in no way, shape or form, have I ever sought to involve myself in staffing matters in the ABC, nor, for that matter, am I aware of any member of the government who has sought to do so and that includes the former prime minister who has spoken to these matters overnight.
There have, over the last two days, been issues raised in relation to the independence of the ABC. These are matters that we take seriously as a government, which is why, following discussions with the prime minister yesterday, I asked the secretary of my department, the Department of Communications and the Arts, to undertake an inquiry to establish the facts in these matters.There have, over the last two days, been issues raised in relation to the independence of the ABC. These are matters that we take seriously as a government, which is why, following discussions with the prime minister yesterday, I asked the secretary of my department, the Department of Communications and the Arts, to undertake an inquiry to establish the facts in these matters.
I’ve done so because it’s important for the community to have confidence in the ABC and its independence.I’ve done so because it’s important for the community to have confidence in the ABC and its independence.
Hello everyone and welcome to another day of live coverage about the unfolding crisis at the ABC. As we launch the live blog this morning, it has become clear that the ABC board is meeting today minus its chairman, Justin Milne.Hello everyone and welcome to another day of live coverage about the unfolding crisis at the ABC. As we launch the live blog this morning, it has become clear that the ABC board is meeting today minus its chairman, Justin Milne.
ABC update: ABC Board meeting now without chairman Justin Milne and @SenatorFifield presser at 9.30am in Melbourne.ABC update: ABC Board meeting now without chairman Justin Milne and @SenatorFifield presser at 9.30am in Melbourne.
The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, is speaking to the media in Melbourne now. I’ll bring you that next.The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, is speaking to the media in Melbourne now. I’ll bring you that next.