The SBS and ABC are staring down the Turnbull government and will not voluntarily disclose names and salaries of all employees earning over $200,000.
In letters to Communications Minister Mitch Fifield from SBS chairman Dr Bulent Haas Dellal and ABC chairman Justin Milne, the pair say they cannot disclose the names and salaries of all employees earning over $200,000 because it would override the privacy act and both boards have concerns about how it will impact employees and the running of the two businesses.
Senator Fifield will now be forced to try to pass legislation through Parliament, which looks difficult, or abandon the proposal.
The letters, seen by The Australian Financial Review, raise concerns about employee privacy, and keeping the public broadcasters competitive against commercial rivals, be it retaining staff and programming or attracting new staff.