2018-09-27
The ABC needs a fresh start to move past this horror week for the board dogged by continued allegations of political interference, the Greens say.
“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,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“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.
“It is the Australian people the ABC should serve, not the Prime Minister of the day. Any board member, including the chair, that thinks or acts otherwise should re-think their position.
“This whole mess must be investigated by a senate inquiry as a matter of urgency. The Greens will be working with Labor and the crossbench to ensure this happens.
“The ABC is part of our national fabric. From budget cuts, legislative attacks, public undermining and the apparent willingness of the ABC Board to sacrifice journalists to appease the Government, the only way we can maintain the ABC’s independence and restore faith in the community is to kick this Government out.”