ABC managing director David Anderson quits under-fire network

ABC managing director David Anderson has announced his shock resignation from the public broadcaster and will be replaced within months, capping off a tumultuous few months for the taxpayer-funded media outlet.

Fourteen months into his second five-year term in the role, Mr Anderson told staff on Thursday it was the “right time” for leadership renewal.

The change comes less than six months after Kim Williams took over from Ita Buttrose as chairman of the ABC, and follows a vote of no confidence in Mr Anderson by unionised staff back in January.

Mr Anderson’s quiet reappointment last year raised eyebrows, but was justified as a bid to maintain stability and continuity, and allow him to spearhead the broadcaster’s five-year-plan.

The shock announcement comes one year into the plan, and just months after Mr Williams was appointed chairman by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Mr Williams, who has made a series of critical remarks about the public broadcaster, paid tribute to Mr Anderson on Thursday.

“I have to say my admiration for him and his commitment to the ABC is undiminished and my respect grows ever greater. He is an exemplary executive in many ways,” he said.

Points of difference between the two senior executives had already begun to emerge in the first few months of Mr Williams’ role, including opposing opinions on the future of the ABC’s radio platforms.

Mr Williams, a former News Corp Australia chief executive, has also been vocal about activist journalists and warned ABC staff they had to adhere to impartiality standards, a warning shot fired amid criticism of the broadcaster’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

ABC journalists have repeatedly been cautioned against sharing personal political views on social media, and Mr Anderson has had to repeatedly attempt to defend his policies.

His appearances at recent Senate estimates hearings have also become increasingly tense, as he was pushed by senators over a number of comments and social media posts by high-profile journalists, including Laura Tingle, who described Australia as a “racist country” at the Sydney Writer’s Festival in May.

Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman thanked Mr Anderson for his service but said his replacement had a big task ahead of getting the organisation back on track.

“It remains the case that there continue to be too many issues of bias and unbalanced reporting at the ABC,” he said.

“The new chair Mr Williams was right to call out this issue and demand high standards of professionalism and impartiality from the organisation. Addressing this must be a top priority for the incoming Managing Director.”

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland also thanked Mr Anderson for his “dedicated service” to the public broadcaster.

“Mr Anderson has provided an experienced and steady hand at the ABC, having risen through the ranks, and I look forward to seeing the outcome of the appointment process as the ABC continues to fulfil its charter to inform, educate and entertain all Australians,” she said.

The vote of no confidence in Mr Anderson by unionised staff back in January was after they had accused Mr Anderson, also the broadcaster’s editor-in-chief, of “failing to defend the integrity of the ABC and its staff from outside attacks”, following a series of incidents including complaints of pro-Israel bias and radio presenter Antoinette Lattouf’s dismissal.

The board rejected the union vote, and described claims Mr Anderson was not supportive of journalists as “abhorrent and incorrect”. But it’s understood tensions have remained high at the broadcaster in the months since.

In his message to staff on Thursday, Mr Anderson said he would remain in the role until the new year, to ensure a smooth transition.

“I am still very much committed to the importance of the ABC to the nation,” he said.

“To have the opportunity to serve the Australian public and lead such talented and dedicated people across the country and overseas for what is approaching six years is humbling.

“I am confident the timing is right for both me and the ABC.”