Statement from Ita Buttrose, ABC Chair, on ABC complaints handling process
The inquiry into the ABCâs complaints handling process announced by Senate Communications Committee Chair, Senator Andrew Bragg, appears to be a blatant attempt to usurp the role of the ABC Board and undermine the operational independence of the ABC.
As Senator Bragg is aware, in October the ABC Board initiated an independent review of the ABCâs complaints system by two eminent experts, Professor John McMillan AO, former Commonwealth and NSW Ombudsman, and Jim Carroll, former SBS Director â News and Current Affairs. The terms of reference for the review are comprehensive and wide-ranging.
This review is consistent with the duties of the Board under the ABC Act. Under Section 8 of the Act, the ABC Board has the legal responsibility for developing codes of practice relating to programming matters and to ensure that the gathering and presentation by the Corporation of news and information is accurate and impartial.
The fact that these powers are given to the Board, not to the Government of the day, is a key pillar of the ABCâs operational independence.
This review is well underway and members of Parliament, including Senator Bragg, have already been interviewed as part of the review process. An issues paper will be released shortly and the review will then be seeking public submissions. The review will be rigorous and thorough and its findings will be released by the ABC board in April 2022.
Instead of respecting the integrity of this process, the Senate Committee under the leadership of Senator Bragg has decided to initiate a parallel process. I will leave it to Senator Bragg to explain his motives but the impact of this action is clear. As Chair of the ABC Board I am duty bound to call out any action that seeks to undermine the independence of the national broadcaster.
Once again, an elected representative has chosen to threaten the ABCâs independence at the expense of the integrity of this irreplaceable public service. Any incursion of this kind into the ABCâs independence should be seen by Australians for what it is: an attempt to weaken the communityâs trust in the public broadcaster.
This is an act of political interference designed to intimidate the ABC and mute its role as this countryâs most trusted source of public interest journalism. If politicians determine the operation of the national broadcasterâs complaints system, they can influence what is reported by the ABC.
A fundamental democratic principle underpinning the ABC has been its independence from interference by those motivated by political outcomes. Politicians, like all citizens, are welcome to criticise anything they find wrong or objectionable that is published by the ABC but they cannot be allowed to tell the ABC what it may or may not say.
Transparency and accountability are important and the Senate Committee performs a vital role. The ABC attends Senate Estimates hearings on multiple occasions every year and answers hundreds of questions on notice. It is extremely regrettable, however, that the Committee has, on this occasion, sought to undertake a task that is not only already underway but also is the legal responsibility of the ABC Board.
When Parliament resumes later this month, I respectfully ask the Senate to act to defend the independence of the ABC, as Australiaâs national broadcaster, by passing a motion to terminate or suspend this inquiry until the independent process commissioned by the ABC Board has been completed.
Appointment of Deputy Chairperson to ABC Board
Peter Tonagh, a member of the ABC Board, has been appointed Deputy Chairperson for the remainder of his current term through to 12 May 2026.
Mr Tonagh has been a non-executive Director on the ABC Board since 13 May this year.
Throughout his career in the media sector, Mr Tonagh has worked as a Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer for Foxtel Management Pty Ltd, News Corp Australia and REA Group Limited.
Along with his extensive business background Mr Tonagh has held numerous board positions, including as Member of Council for the Australian Film Television and Radio School, Lead Independent Director of Village Roadshow Limited, and Chairman of Multi-Channel Network Pty Limited.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said, âI congratulate Mr Tonagh on his new appointment and look forward to seeing the valuable contribution he will continue to make to the ABC Board as Deputy Chairperson. His extensive media and business experience will be a vital resource for the national broadcaster as it navigates the challenges ahead.â
Youth-inspired ideas set to become life-changing projects
Twenty-three community-led projects have been awarded a total of $208,000 to tackle the real, and at times confronting issues, faced by young Australians living in rural, regional and remote areas of the country.
Funded through the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program, these grants will bring to life ideas developed at the Heywire Youth Ideas lab. These projects will tackle a range of issues such as discrimination, youth-led peer support, multigenerational connection, mental health and career opportunities for young people.
These grants will mean that community organisations and local not-for-profits can implement community-led initiatives that will have a lasting impact.
Some of the 23 projects being funded are listed below:
- CareSouth Deniliquin â Deniliquin, NSW. Received $5,080 to develop the Support Squad idea by creating a youth peer support network that will run an art therapy mentoring program.
- Nganmarriyanga School Council Incorporated â Nganmarriyanga, NT. Received $10,000 to develop the Open Field Fest idea by developing studentsâ creative skills with song writing workshops that showcase community, culture and language.
- Heal.ed Tribe â Coombabah, QLD. Received $5,400 to develop the Contribute to the Change idea by Supporting young women with a lived experience of an eating disorder to share their story and reduce the stigma surrounding it.
- Umeewarra Aboriginal Media Association â Port Augusta, SA. Received $10,000 to develop the Open Field Fest idea by growing the number of young First Nations artists participating in music festivals in Port Augusta through a skills development program.
- Beacon Foundation â Hobart, TAS. Received $9,640 to develop the Discover your Future idea by encouraging secondary school students to adopt an entrepreneur mindset with a program to imagine, design and develop new businesses and products.
- Youth Live 4 Life â Maryborough, VIC. Received $10,000 to develop the Contribute to the Change idea by developing a network of youth who are trained in mental health first aid and knowledgeable about the support services available to them.
- Derby District High School â Derby, WA. Received $10,000 to develop the Discover your Future idea by developing youth skills in horsemanship to broaden their career aspirations and provide a pathway into the pastoral industry.
Helen Clifton named top three technology leader
The ABCâs Chief Digital and Information Officer Helen Clifton has been named one of Australiaâs top three technology leaders by CIO Australia as part of their annual CIO50 awards.
Some of the countryâs sharpest minds from organisations such as Revenue NSW, Seven West Media, the Victorian Department of Health, Lendlease, TPG Telecom and the Red Cross came together to celebrate the achievements of the top 50 senior tech and digital executives driving technology-led innovations, building cultures, and influencing their peers and leadership teams
Helen was recognised for her role in driving the ABCâs transition from a traditional broadcaster to the nationâs most highly trusted, valued and leading digital content provider. In a panel discussion with the other two winners, Helen said it demonstrated just how far the ABC has come in its almost 90-year history.
âThis is well deserved recognition for the innovation thatâs driving the ABC and how itâs become a leading force in the digital space in Australia. Indeed, we now have 18 million active users each week enjoying a huge range of digital experiences. Itâs also recognition of the breadth of our distinctive, high-quality content, which gives the ABC its unique place in the lives of Australians â our audiences can watch, listen, read and interact with us whenever and wherever it suits them.â
ABC Managing Director David Anderson congratulated Helen and thanked her for her leadership in the technology area.
âHelen is driving critically important work at the ABC as we continue the transition to digital broadcasting. To see her recognised in this way for her knowledge, leadership and vision is also a strong reflection on the ABCâs technology teams and the work they do.â
The top 50 Australian technology leaders were unveiled during a celebration ceremony last Thursday evening hosted at Nâgalaway Terrace in Sydneyâs Taronga Zoo, where more than 100 technology and c-level executives attended from across the country.
UPDATE:
ABC response to VicForests
Stories reporting on practices by State logging company VicForests published by the ABC on 24 November and 25 November are the latest in a series of investigations by National Science, Technology and Environment reporter Michael Slezak.
The ABC stands by the accuracy and integrity of the journalism.
None of the stories by Michael Slezak have resulted in an apology by the ABC.
No complaints about the stories have been upheld by the ABCâs independent complaints department.
Correcting Sophie Elsworth in The Australian
A report by Sophie Elsworth in The Australian incorrectly claiming the ABC has ârevampedâ its independent review into editorial self-regulatory systems and complaints handling wilfully ignores basic facts readily available on the public record.
It was always the case that the ABCâs review would include public submissions as part of the review process.
The facts are:
- ABC Chair Ita Buttrose said in a statement released on 14 November: âAn issues paper will be released shortly and the review will then be seeking public submissions.â
- ABC editorial director Craig McMurtrie wrote on 15 November: âThe terms of reference were published and shortly they will produce a public issues paper and invite submissions.â
- Mr McMurtrie also said public submissions would be accepted in response to questions from Senator David Van During Senate Estimates on 26 October: âRight now, the reviewers are working on an issues paper, and the intention is to publish that issues paper and then invite submissions.â
- Finally, as Professor John McMillan, who is leading the review with Jim Carroll has said in a statement today: âA public inquiry and submission process was planned from day one.â
Based on this evidence, The Australian should review the accuracy of its report and respond appropriately.
Independent Review of ABC Complaint Handling Public Consultation Paper
The ABC has released a Public Consultation Paper and details of the submission process for the Independent Review of the ABCâs editorial self-regulatory system and complaints handling.
The Consultation Paper has been written by Professor John McMillan AO, and Jim Carroll, the independent reviewers appointed by the ABC Board. It includes the terms of reference for the process and comprehensive details of the framework they are conducting the review within.
The review commenced in October 2021. The reviewers have already held initial consultations with current and former ABC staff, ABC Board members and external observers in Australia and overseas.
The Consultation Paper is being published to invite public comments and submissions on the issues being considered. Consultations will continue throughout this process.
This review welcomes written submissions on any of the Terms of Reference or Key Issues as set out in the Consultation Paper.
Submission from any member of the public or organisation can be sent by email to: abccomplaintsreview@abc.net.au
The consultation period for submissions closes on Friday 17 December 2021 . Submissions may be made public unless marked confidential or as otherwise requested.
The findings of this review will be released after the ABC Board receives the report at the end of March 2022.
ABC announces independent review of complaints handling processes
Part 542 of an ongoing series
I was about to say that. She keep just getting things factually incorrect. Must be so hard to spin a certain agenda constantly. Sheâs destroying her own career.
Even when sheâs corrected (which is often!) she still thinks everyone else is wrong or is the problem, and poor her is the victim 
Their approach is that if you throw enough mud, some of it will stick - it doesnât help that the continual attacks from The Australian make any criticism (by others) leveled towards the ABC some sort of right-wing driven agenda.
This really makes legitimate criticism or critique of the broadcaster really difficult - for instance, the SMH has had a series of articles recently about some of the recent programming from their investigations âteamâ that if what is contained within these articles is true deserve attention, but they get bundled in as part of the partisan attack against the public broadcaster.
Statement by Professor John McMillan, AO
Public submissions to the ABCâs independent review of the editorial self-regulatory system and complaints handling.
It is incorrect to suggest that the independent inquiry into ABC complaint handling I am conducting with Jim Carroll has only recently decided to invite public submissions.
A public inquiry and submission process was planned from day one.
A standard inquiry practice is to invite public submissions following initial consultations and preparation of an issues paper. That practice has been followed in this inquiry.
An issues paper will shortly be released.
Prof McMillan is a former Commonwealth and NSW Ombudsman.
ABC announces independent review of complaints handling processes
ABC features content for, by and about Australians living with disability
More than 50 Australians living with disability will have their stories seen and heard across the ABC to mark International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) tomorrow.
The ABC has once again partnered with the Department of Social Services (DSS) to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the 4.4 million Australians living with disability.
The partnership contributes to the placement of 50 short-term positions within the ABC for people with disability to host and co-host television and radio programs and to have their content featured across all ABC websites, radio, social media, television and ABC iview. Content highlights will feature across all ABC platforms to 10 December. The partnership also funds the ABC Regional Storyteller Scholarship, which provides work experience each year for two content makers with a lived experience of disability. The scholarship opens for 2022 applications tomorrow.
Outgoing Director of ABC NEWS and the Executive Sponsor of ABC Inclusive, Gaven Morris, said the ABC was leading the way in amplifying the voices of people with disability, so their experiences could be shared with all Australians.
âAs a direct result of the work of the staff-led group, ABC Inclusive, and the funding made available by the DSS, the ABC is presenting our largest and most diverse range of content made for, by and about people with disability.â
Minister for Families and Social Services, Anne Ruston, said the partnership provided an opportunity for Australians with disability to have their unique voices heard, while inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
âOur aim with this program is to help break down barriers and allow content makers with disability to participate and thrive in their chosen pursuits,â Minister Ruston said.
Content highlights include curated collections on ABC iview and ABC listen; co-hosted programs on ABC Radio and ABC NEWS digital and video articles.
ReFrame , which showcases the diversity of disability, returns to ABC TV from 2.00pm tomorrow (Friday 3 December) and then on ABC iview and features the story of Angel Dixon, whose work centres around activism and research and not being defined by her disability. Producer, Meret Hassanan, said ReFrame had been a wonderful and rewarding opportunity to tell unique stories. âI hope that ReFrame shows audiences that disability is not one-size-fits-all,â she said.
Bloody great news for regional areas.
The regional broadcasters could never. Great work ABC!