By Natassia Chrysanthos
ABC chair Kim Williams has backed the broadcaster’s decision to dump radio presenter Sarah Macdonald from the Sydney Mornings slot despite a flood of complaints, saying changes were part of life in the media industry.
Macdonald’s surprise removal as host of the show – part of a suite of programming changes to the ABC’s 2025 line-up – was last week met by fierce backlash as listeners bombarded the station and employees described festering concern that the radio division’s new bosses had misread the ABC audience.
Kim Williams, chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, at the National Press Club on Wednesday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Williams defended the decision on Wednesday as he championed change at the broadcaster, which he said needed more investment to boost its offerings of Australian documentaries, drama, children’s and education programs.
“Changes in media are part of life. They are part of the programming fabric of all organisations,” Williams said at the National Press Club in response to a question about the backlash following Macdonald’s axing.
“Management has determined that it wishes to take that service in a different direction. That decision is a management decision, and I fully support our management in making relevant decisions as to the direction and content of the services that the ABC provides. So, yes, I do support that decision.
“Much of the public reaction would actually say that you can never change anything, ever, unless the person impacted by the change is entirely in agreement with that change. And I think that in a media working environment, that’s a very impractical view of the world.”
ABC presenter Sarah Macdonald announced on air last week that she’d just learnt her contract would not be renewed next year.
Williams also said Macdonald had not been sacked. “Her role has not been renewed. They are different conceptually,” he said. Former Q+A presenter Hamish Macdonald has been floated as the frontrunner to replace her.
Williams, a former News Corp executive, has stressed the importance of the public broadcaster’s radio output since he became chair in March. The ABC’s U-turn on audio strategy is one of its most recent changes, with managing director David Anderson carving out a standalone audio division to elevate radio in the latest restructure.
As the ABC searches for a new managing director to replace Anderson, Williams said he was not a candidate.
“I don’t think that it would pass the pub test. I know that it happened once before ... [But] I do not seek to transfer from the governance strategic prioritisation and advocacy role across into the operational role,” he said.
Asked to outline his objectives as chair, Williams said: “I am advocating for investment in the ABC. I am advocating internally that we refresh our sense of purpose and performance.”
He said the ABC’s operating revenue had fallen by $150 million a year since 2012, while federal spending had been reduced from 0.31 per cent of the Commonwealth budget in 2000-01 to 0.13 per cent today.
“To achieve the maximum benefit in delivery to Australian audiences, it is going to need additional fuel,” he said.
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