A statement by ABC Alumni
22 August 2024
The Managing Director of the ABC, David Anderson, announced today his intention to leave the ABC. This is despite his re-appointment by the ABC Board for a second five-year term only last year.
ABC Alumni respects David’s decision, and thanks him for his extraordinary contribution to the ABC over more than thirty years.
David was appointed in an acting capacity in 2018, following the turmoil that saw the previous Managing Director, Michelle Guthrie, sacked by the Board, and two days later the Chair, Justin Milne, resign.
What David provided then was a steady hand on the tiller, and he has provided it ever since, through years in which the ABC has undergone a fundamental transformation. When the Alumni Board met him from time to time, we were always impressed by the breadth and the depth of his knowledge of the ABC: its output, its costs, its reach, and its challenges.
We have no reason to doubt that David decided to go, and was not pushed. Kim Williams is sincere, we believe, in saying that his “admiration for David and his commitment to the ABC is undiminished”, and that the Board asked David to stay for his full second term.
Nevertheless, the most important power the Board has is to appoint the Managing Director, and by re-appointing David almost a year before his first term ended, the Board chaired by Ita Buttrose deprived her successor of the opportunity to have a say in that decision.
David has now left the way clear for Kim Williams and the Board he chairs to make this crucial appointment early in his term. On the whole ABC Alumni believes this is a good thing.
We are delighted that David has agreed to stay in his post until his successor is appointed. He has always put the ABC first. He has earned the gratitude of everyone who holds the National Broadcaster dear.
Jonathan Holmes
Chair, ABC Alumni
On behalf of the Board of Directors