ABC chair Ita Buttrose will not seek reappointment to the role when her term ends in March 2024, the communications minister has confirmed.
Key points:
- Ita Buttrose's term as ABC chair will end in March 2024
- The government says Ms Buttrose "spoke truth to power" as chair
- Ms Buttrose has called for reforms to protect press freedom
The 81-year-old has served as ABC chair since 2019.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said she had been advised by Ms Buttrose of her decision, and acknowledged Ms Buttrose's leadership following a period of "upheaval" at the ABC.
"Ms Buttrose was the right chair for the right time," Ms Rowland said.
“She navigated the public broadcaster through a challenging period that included strident political criticism, the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing transformation of the ABC so it can remain an essential part of Australian life in the digital age.
“She has much to do in the remainder of her term and will leave the ABC stronger than when she was entrusted with the role in 2019."
In a statement, Ms Buttrose said she had enjoyed her time at the ABC "immensely" and was honoured to chair the institution.
"There have been many memories, some challenges, and I have relished the opportunity to play a role in the ABC's history," Ms Buttrose said.
"Our 90th celebrations last year remain a high point for me but there are many moments I will always remember. Among those are the many interactions with both ABC staff and our audiences across the country.
"There is still work to be done between now and March next year. Until then, it is business as usual."
Ms Buttrose thanked Ms Rowland and former prime minister Scott Morrison, who appointed her to the role.
Buttrose 'spoke truth to power', minister says
Ms Buttrose came to the role after the previous chair Justin Milne resigned amid accusations of editorial interference and demands senior journalists be sacked — which Mr Milne denied.
Her appointment was the culmination of a decades-long career in journalism.
Ms Buttrose was the founding editor of Cleo Magazine in 1972, and later the editor of The Australian Women's Weekly.
She headed Sydney's Daily Telegraph in the 1980s, has written several books, sat as president for Chief Executive Women and was named Australian of the Year in 2013 for her work in the media and as an advocate for Australians with Alzheimer's and dementia.
While chair of the ABC, Ms Buttrose made headlines for her interventions on political correctness, ageism and racism in the media.
Just months into the job, federal police raided the ABC and News Corp over stories published about special forces operations in Afghanistan, which Ms Buttrose decried as clear attempts to "intimidate" journalists.
She also fought back against what she labelled an attempt to "mute" the ABC, when the previous government launched an inquiry into the broadcaster's complaints handling processes.
In July, Ms Buttrose issued an apology to the Australian Monarchist League following criticism of the ABC's coverage of the coronation of King Charles, though she noted the ABC Ombudsman found that the organisation did not breach editorial guidelines in its coverage.
Speaking at the ABC's Andrew Olle lecture in June last year, Ms Buttrose said without stronger protections for public interest journalism, democracy would be at risk.
"Australians will only rely upon the mainstream media as an essential part of our civic and democratic life if they can trust we are able to expose the spin and lies and misinformation, and deliver the facts and truth. All the facts. All the truth," Ms Buttrose said.
"With 'fragile' press freedom, democracy is at risk. Without a free press, democracy dies."
Ms Buttrose has called for media reforms to strengthen protections for whistleblowers and protections for journalists against defamation laws.
The communications minister says a selection process to appoint the next chair will begin "in due course".
The process will be conducted by the nomination panel for ABC and SBS appointments, supported by the communications department and an external executive search agency.
Ms Rowland thanked Ms Buttrose for her "exemplary" service.
"Ms Buttrose is a formidable corporate leader who has served with distinction, speaking truth to power and upholding governance standards to protect independent public broadcasting," she said.