Outgoing ABC Managing Director David Anderson has denied his departure from the broadcaster is linked to new ABC Chair Kim Williams.
Media has speculated Anderson is a “first casualty” of changes at the ABC Board, in which the former News Limited and Foxtel CEO is now installed as Chair.
Speaking this morning to Radio National’s Patricia Karvelas, he said, “I have been asked this question a lot, ‘How come I’m leaving 35 years at the ABC, of which next month will be six as Managing Director?’ Regardless of the terms, six years is a long time in this job. There’s only two other managing directors that had made it this long since it became a corporation in the ’80s.
“It is the right time for me, and I think the right time for the ABC. It is something I had thought about now for months. I went away on leave. I spoke to Kim a lot. Kim tried to get me to change my mind. Came back from leave with it certain in my mind that I was making the right decision. We’ve got a long lead time for the Board to find a new managing director, and I’ve been asked to, and I’ve agreed to stayed on until that person starts, which could very well be April next year.”
Pressed on whether his heart wasn’t in it anymore he said, “You can’t work for an organisation for 35 years that’s based on public purpose, and think that your heart’s not in it. (There) will always be part of me that is here at the ABC, and I will always talk about its importance to the Australian people. I have a unique perspective in this role. It is an honour and a privilege to hold it. I haven’t taken it lightly. I’ve taken it very seriously. I feel quite proud of the job I’ve done over the six years and and I’ve got a lot of lovely messages from across the ABC yesterday.
“But, you know, the ABC is an institution. I’m just a custodian in this role, and I just feel it’s time to hand it on to someone else.”
Karvelas also pointed to media speculation as to whether the Chair was a factor in his decision to depart.
“People I think, will seek to see a story and draw a conclusion here. Can I reassure you it’s all me, it’s not Kim. I had met Kim a couple of times before he came in. He is a thoroughly decent human being who totally believes in the purpose of the ABC,” said Anderson.
“We are 100% aligned on the organisation, what it needs to be, what it needs to do for the Australian people. And he’s actually quite delightful to work with. We really enjoy each other’s company, and we’ve spent a lot of time together. And if anything, Kim being there is one of those reasons that you want to stay on. But that can’t be the only reason.
“I find Kim to be delightful, and I’ll continue to say that. I think he will be terrific and go on to be terrific as Chair for the ABC.”
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