ABC spends $45,000 in taxpayer funds on office farewell for ex-managing director David Anderson
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has revealed it spent $45,000 in taxpayer money on an office farewell for former managing director David Anderson.
The send off was held in the foyer of the public broadcaster’s Ultimo office in Sydney, with the cost approved by ABC chair Kim Williams.
Hugh Marks — who took over from Mr Anderson in March — defended the party as a “reasonably appropriate event” when questioned about the bill during a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.While there were no venue costs as it was kept in-house, the head of ABC facilities, Melanie Kleyn, claimed the money went towards catering, drinks and travel costs for some of Mr Anderson’s colleagues.
She highlighted that he had worked at the broadcaster for 35 years.
“An event was held for him in our Ultimo foyer. We had a number of people invited to that event. I think the costs would have extended to catering for the evening,” she said.
“I think we would also have paid for some employees to travel to the event who had worked with Mr Anderson over the years.”
When questioned further about the number of attendees and if travel expenses related to previous ABC staff, Ms Kleyn claimed she did not have the answers.
“Oh, my goodness, I don’t know. I don’t know. Sorry, Senator,” Ms Kleyn said in her evidence.
Mr Marks jumped in to say that the main studio the event was held in was “capable of carrying 220 people” and that “there were a number of attendees”.
“That was an event that was held by the invitation of the chair. It was a reasonably, I think, appropriate event for an executive that have been in the organisation for a long period of time and made many contributions,” he said.
Officials claimed the fringe benefit tax was included in the cost, which had been provided to Senator Sarah Henderson on notice.
Mr Anderson, who was understood to have been on a $1.15m salary, announced his shock resignation from the public broadcaster in August 2024, after almost six years in the position but just a year into his second term.
The decision came after a tumultuous few months at the ABC, including a vote of no confidence by unionised staff back in January of the same year, and in the wake of the dismissal of radio presenter Antoinette Lattouf and complaints of pro-Israel bias.
