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Justin Milne's position as ABC chair 'untenable', Labor says – live Justin Milne resigns as chairman of the ABC board – live
(35 minutes later)
While we wait to see if the board has resolved to ask Justin Milne to step down or not (trust us, the phone calls are flying everywhere), it might be worth re-visiting what kickstarted it all - Emma Alberici’s tax analysis. The ABC is running part of Leigh Sale’s interview with Justin Milne now in its midday bulletin.
I said, well, I think actually I should resign because clearly there is a lot of pressure on the organisation and as always, my interests, my aim, has been to look after the interests of the corporation.”
While we wait to see the outcome of the noon board meeting, journalism professor Margaret Simons has some interesting asides:
In the wake of #abc chairman Milne's resignation, here are some things to think about: Both ABC and SBS currently lack MDs. If the government didn't have enough trouble on its hands, this would be the moment when they try to merge them. 1 of several...
#abc What about the rest of the board? What were they doing over the last few months while Milne was rampant? 2 of several
#abc given @SenatorFifield has appointed two board members who were NOT recommended by the arms length selection process, what assurances will he give that the new Chairman will be properly chosen?
Finally (for now) let's not fall into trap of "Milne bad = Guthrie good". In all the cases making the news, it was much more complicated than that. Remember the spin drs are active on both sides, and we have yet to see the complete email correspondence #abc
The ABC has reported the board will be meeting at noon to decide who will be the acting chair.
It’s unlikely the board will appoint someone from outside at this stage, but stay tuned.
The broadcaster has also given some hint of the Leigh Sales interview with Justin Milne:
In an exclusive interview, Mr Milne described the week’s events as a “firestorm” and said he “wanted to provide a release valve”.
“Clearly there is a lot of pressure on the organisation, and as always, my interests have been to look after the interests of the corporation,” he said.
“It’s clearly not a good thing for everybody to be trying to do their job with this kind of firestorm going on.”
The ABC is now officially without a managing director and a board chair.
More despatches from New York - but from a different former prime minister:
No Malcolm. It’s your standards that deteriorated. By applying political pressure to the ABC as Prime Minister on staffing decisions. For the record, my government refused to appoint political mates to the ABC Board. . https://t.co/dYCtkkr5ps via @smh
Still waiting to hear from ABC News Director, Gavin Morris, on the latest news, but here is what he had to say this morning:
To @abcnews staff asking me how to respond to these stories about the ABC, I’ve said this: hold your heads high, look everyone in the eye and get back to your desks, behind your microphones and in front of the cameras and do your jobs well. Your bosses are the Australian people.
And here is where it seems to have played out:
I just finished an extensive interview with Justin Milne in which he announces his resignation as ABC Chairman. Don't miss #abc730 tonight
Just moments after reports came through that the ABC board had met without Justin Milne and resolved to ask him to resign, the ABC board chairman resigned.
That doesn’t do anything to change the status of the inquiries though.
Justin Milne has resigned as Chairman of the ABC.The ABC Board met this morning without Mr Milne. After that meeting the Board asked Mr Milne to step aside.The ABC Board is meeting at noon today to decide who will be the Acting Chairman.
Barrie Cassidy has been one of the strongest defenders of the ABC, with the job of commentating on what exactly has gone on, and why, falling to the Insiders host:
#Insiders host @barriecassidy says Malcolm Turnbull’s relentless whingeing to Justine Milne put pressure on him and in the end he cracked #auspol pic.twitter.com/O3PjxznbRi
There is radio silence from the ABC but reports are growing that the board has resolved to ask Justin Milne to step down.
Included in that radio silence is any denial.
While we wait to see if the board has resolved to ask Justin Milne to step down or not (trust us, the phone calls are flying everywhere), it might be worth revisiting what kickstarted it all – Emma Alberici’s tax analysis.
Here is Greg Jericho’s take, from the time.Here is Greg Jericho’s take, from the time.
As to why Michelle Rowland and Labor say this is so important:As to why Michelle Rowland and Labor say this is so important:
“The ABC brand is well trusted in Australia. It is one of Australia’s national treasures, as it is often called, and it is no secret that the ABC is consistently rated as the most trusted news source in Australia. And that is why, more than ever, in an era of fake news and media consolidation, Australia requires a strong, independent and well resourced public broadcaster in the ABC. As this goes on, the ABC relies on people to have trust in it. If that trust is diminished, and if governments do not act to restore the trust, then that is a serious failing of our democracy. The ABC brand is well trusted in Australia. It is one of Australia’s national treasures, as it is often called, and it is no secret that the ABC is consistently rated as the most trusted news source in Australia. And that is why, more than ever, in an era of fake news and media consolidation, Australia requires a strong, independent and well-resourced public broadcaster in the ABC. As this goes on, the ABC relies on people to have trust in it. If that trust is diminished, and if governments do not act to restore the trust, then that is a serious failing of our democracy …
...There is no denying that the public’s perceptions of this have been negative. Whether it has been negative about whether there is quality journalism, that is another matter. But the public’s confidence in the running of the ABC and in the matters surrounding these matters certainly in the public’s mines, it is not good at all.” There is no denying that the public’s perceptions of this have been negative. Whether it has been negative about whether there is quality journalism, that is another matter. But the public’s confidence in the running of the ABC and in the matters surrounding these matters certainly in the public’s mind, it is not good at all.
Michelle Rowland also says Labor believes a separate Senate inquiry into the allegations is absolutely crucial, despite Mitch Fifield having ordered his departmental secretary to investigate:Michelle Rowland also says Labor believes a separate Senate inquiry into the allegations is absolutely crucial, despite Mitch Fifield having ordered his departmental secretary to investigate:
Labor is very concerned that not only do we need to have the actuals of this come out, but also the perception is very important. Let’s bear in mind that this is a minister who is a card-carrying member of the IPA, which advocates the privatisation of the ABC.Labor is very concerned that not only do we need to have the actuals of this come out, but also the perception is very important. Let’s bear in mind that this is a minister who is a card-carrying member of the IPA, which advocates the privatisation of the ABC.
He has made substantial complaints to the ABC over various matters, he has presided over cuts to the ABC and, quite frankly, Labor does not have confidence that this inquiry done alone by his department will be satisfactory to bring those matters out. That is what the people are crying out for, they are crying out for transparency.He has made substantial complaints to the ABC over various matters, he has presided over cuts to the ABC and, quite frankly, Labor does not have confidence that this inquiry done alone by his department will be satisfactory to bring those matters out. That is what the people are crying out for, they are crying out for transparency.
Does Labor have a problem with the decision to sack Michelle Guthrie?Does Labor have a problem with the decision to sack Michelle Guthrie?
Michelle Rowland leaves that one largely alone:Michelle Rowland leaves that one largely alone:
Labor understands that the board took an independent decision in order to effect that outcome. I made that clear on Monday when this became apparent, and Labor really understood, and we make that very clear, that we understand that those powers are there on the board is not required to give reasons.Labor understands that the board took an independent decision in order to effect that outcome. I made that clear on Monday when this became apparent, and Labor really understood, and we make that very clear, that we understand that those powers are there on the board is not required to give reasons.
But we want to know what the prime minister was told, what reasons he was given, what reason the minister for communications was given as to that sacking, in light of everything we now know in relation to the alleged political interference in the ABC.But we want to know what the prime minister was told, what reasons he was given, what reason the minister for communications was given as to that sacking, in light of everything we now know in relation to the alleged political interference in the ABC.
There are unconfirmed reports that the board has asked Milne to step aside pending an inquiry.There are unconfirmed reports that the board has asked Milne to step aside pending an inquiry.
BREAKING: The ABC board has asked Justin Milne to step aside while the inquiry is going on. The view was he could not continue as Chair while he was being investigated. In light of this, Milne is now understood to be considering his position as Chair and may step down entirely.BREAKING: The ABC board has asked Justin Milne to step aside while the inquiry is going on. The view was he could not continue as Chair while he was being investigated. In light of this, Milne is now understood to be considering his position as Chair and may step down entirely.
And as to why Labor (and the government) are treading carefully around this – well, it has to do with the ABC Act, and its legislated independence from government interference.
Michelle Rowland:
There are limited grounds for removal of the chairman in this instance. Ultimately, it is for the chairman to make up his own mind.
There are limited circumstances, and these are untested, for the government to form a view that certain aspects of the public governance and accountability regime may or may not have been satisfied.
But I believe, and Labor believes, that as each day goes on, and as we find out more of these allegations about alleged political interference, everyday this goes on, the public’s trust in the ABC is eroded. And that cannot be allowed to continue.
Michelle Rowland is not outright calling for Justin Milne to step down but she comes very close to the line.
Labor’s view is that his position is untenable and hence we do not have confidence in his position as chairman. That is a decision for him to make in relation to his position …
Labor does not believe his position is tenable. We do not have confidence in him, and we believe it is for the good of the ABC and certainly for the Australian public has stakeholders in the ABC, and considering it is such a vital part of our democracy that that would certainly be something that the chairman should be considering in formulating his decision.
Scott Morrison, who is on a bit of a strawberry tour across Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, says he spoke to Malcolm Turnbull this morning and he doesn’t believe the former prime minister “hated” any ABC’s journalist.
And he didn’t. I mean he didn’t. I actually spoke to Malcolm today. I speak to Malcolm pretty frequently. No, what the former prime minister did, just like I have as a minister, and I’m sure others … You know, the ABC is not perfect. You know, they make mistakes and it’s all right for people to call them out on that and raise those issues with the ABC.
We’ve all done that before. Members of the public do that. Members of parliament do that. Prime ministers do it. Ministers do it. But it’s not our job to tell the ABC how to run itself and how to then, you know, deal with any complaints.
They’re responsible for how they do that. The ABC board is responsible for the reputation of the ABC and its independence and we support them in being independent and I want to ensure that, as we deal with this issue, that the independence of the ABC is not in question. But equally, they’ve got to get it right too. So, you know, they’ve also got to handle those issues but that’s not what the current discussion is about. It’s about the independence, which, you know, has the full support of our government and always has.
He says he has contacted the ABC about its coverage but only when he says facts have been wrong.
I have because they’ve got it wrong on plenty of occasions and they’ve apologised to me for getting it wrong on a number of occasions. That’s probably the more shocking thing. Surprising, I should say. But that’s my point. There are processes. We use them. And responses are provided and that’s how it should work. But the idea that the government has somehow got some list and is telling the ABC who should work there and who shouldn’t – that’s complete rubbish. They’ve got an independent board. They’ve made decisions about their managing director. They made those decisions.
But what does he think of the reports that Justin Milne may have interfered in staffing matters?
That’s why I’m seeking to establish the facts around that. I know there are a lot of reports about that, but I’ll make my decisions and any further comments I make about the conduct of the chairman in relation to the actual evidence and I’m waiting to see that and I’ve got a process in place to go to that.
You’ve got to be fair. I mean, people have made allegations. They’re pretty serious allegations, I’ve got to say. And on the face of it that’s very concerning, very concerning.But I’m not going to prejudge it based on some newspaper or internet or, you know, television reports I’m going to base that on the clear advice and evidence presented by the department.
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?
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.