ABC reveals former news director Justin Stevens received massive payout after exit
The figure has been revealed as the public broadcaster faces a major shake-up under managing director Hugh Marks. See how much he was paid.
Former ABC News director Justin Stevens received a $353,230 payout following his sudden departure from the public broadcaster, as details of executive salaries and major changes to the organisation emerge.
The figure was disclosed in the ABC’s annual report, released on Monday evening, just hours before senior executives were due to face questioning at Senate estimates.
Stevens left the broadcaster in May after 19 years, resigning and departing on the same day amid a major leadership overhaul under managing director Hugh Marks.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.It later emerged Marks had already identified Simon Robinson as Steven’s replacement, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, although he was reportedly unaware plans were underway to remove him from the role.
Marks subsequently acknowledged the pair had clashed over the future direction of the ABC’s newsroom, describing Stevens’ departure as “inevitable”.
The $353,230 payment may include accrued leave and other employment entitlements.
The annual report also revealed Marks received a total remuneration package of $1.19 million for the 2025-26 financial year, including a base salary of $1.13 million.
ABC chair Kim Williams was paid $226,000.
The revelations come amid significant upheaval at the national broadcaster, with almost the entire senior management team replaced since Marks took charge.
Among the latest departures is chief operating officer Melanie Kleyn, who received a total remuneration package of $869,771 during the financial year.
She has been replaced by former Seven Media Group executive Trent Dickeson.
Further changes are expected across the ABC’s news operations, with Robinson already announcing the cancellation of long-running business program The Business after two decades on air.
“The Corporation will offer audiences more relevant, local and in-depth reporting and investigations,” he said.
The broadcaster is also examining ways to reduce its substantial transmission costs, potentially raising questions about the future of some traditional radio and television services.
Despite the internal shake-up, the ABC recorded audience growth across several key programs during the financial year.
Its flagship 7pm television news bulletin attracted an average national weeknight audience of 899,000 across broadcast and live streaming, an increase of seven per cent.
Foreign Correspondent recorded a 29 per cent audience jump, while 7.30 grew six per cent to an average of 864,000 viewers.
The ABC’s overall radio audience also increased for the first time in five years, helped by stronger performances from News Radio and triple j, although local radio continued to lose listeners.
The broadcaster’s leadership is expected to face scrutiny at Senate estimates on Tuesday over several controversies, including the dismissal of former Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal.
Fazal was sacked in May after establishing an unauthorised podcast, with several of his investigations subsequently removed over concerns about sourcing.
The ABC’s independent ombudsman later found failures involving two reports published in 2023 and 2024 had undermined public trust in the broadcaster.
A number of senior figures associated with the reporting, including former Four Corners executive producer Matthew Carney, investigations chief Jo Puccini, Stevens and former managing director David Anderson, have since departed the organisation.
