The ABC’s director of radio, Michael Mason, has announced he will be leaving the government-funded broadcaster in early December.

In a statement to staff yesterday, Mason said that when he took on the additional role as the ABC’s director of regional and local in February, he did so with a view that he would revisit that decision after 12 months.

“After 34 years at the ABC and the last five years as director of radio and then regional and local, I can honestly say I have been privileged to have had the opportunity to work alongside some of this country’s greatest broadcasting and media talent – both in front of and behind the mic,” he said.

“I am aware that we have just experienced significant change at the highest levels within the ABC.

“I am also keenly aware of the incredible depth and talent that exists in both the ABC’s executive leadership team and the regional and local executive team, and it is for this reason that I believe now is the right time for me to step down as director.”

Mason said his decision to leave the ABC was made in early August before the departure of former managing director Michelle Guthrie and former chairman Justin Milne, and was in no way linked to those events.

The ABC will advertise the role of director of regional and local internally “as soon as possible”, with the aim of appointing a new director before Mason’s departure in early December.

Until that process is completed the ABC’s head of specialist, Judith Whelan, will act as director of regional and local.