ABC Criticised For Keeping Michelle Guthrie Settlement Under Wraps

ABC Criticised For Keeping Michelle Guthrie Settlement Under Wraps

The ABC is on notice by the government who has said the broadcaster must declare how much taxpayer’s money was used to pay for its confidential settlement of disgraced ex-managing director Michelle Guthrie.

Communications minister Mitch Fifield said on Sunday that he expected transparency on the payout Guthrie received, considering the involvement of taxpayer funds.

In December, Guthrie sued the ABC for wrongful dismissal after she was fired halfway through her five-year contract.

At the time of her termination, she as given an $800,000 payout.

Late on Friday, the ABC and Guthrie announced in a joint statement that they had reached a “resolution”.

The statement said:

“The ABC and its former Managing Director, Michelle Guthrie, are pleased to announce a resolution to their Federal Court litigation.

The details of the resolution will remain confidential. No further public statement will be made regarding the resolution by the ABC or Ms Guthrie”.

No further details have been given and both parties have refused to answer questions regarding the settlement.

However, the secrecy surrounding the agreement has attracted plenty of criticism over the weekend.

The confidential nature of the agreement attracted widespread criticism over the weekend.

A spokesman for Fifield said that “neither the government nor the community are aware of the terms of the settlement”.

“The government’s preference would be for the parties concerned to be transparent in relation to any part of the settlement that may involve the payment and receipt of taxpayer funds”.

According to the SMH, One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson said any settlement payment should come out of the ABC’s current $1 billion-a-year budget.

Hanson said: “It’s not up to the taxpayer to further fund her sacking … it should be exposed.

“I don’t believe it should remain confidential … When it’s coming out of taxpayers’ dollars they deserve to know exactly how much is being paid”.

The ABC declined SMH’s request comment.




Please login with linkedin to comment

ABC Michelle Guthrie

Latest News

Scroll Media Recruits Costa Panagos From Twitch
  • Advertising

Scroll Media Recruits Costa Panagos From Twitch

Digital publisher network Scroll Media has employed ex-Amazon Twitch gaming executive Costa Panagos (lead image) to strengthen its Scroll Gaming capability. Panagos is highly experienced in game advertising and media sales professional with two years in account management at Twitch and three years in media sales at News Corp, so will bring his extensive media agency […]

Year13, Microsoft & KPMG Australia Launch AI Course For Gen Zs
  • Technology

Year13, Microsoft & KPMG Australia Launch AI Course For Gen Zs

School-leaver service Year13 has launched a new Artificial Intelligence course to upskill young people in AI, made in collaboration with Microsoft and KPMG, at an event to rally industry support behind youth AI fluency. The free online course AI Amplified which is part of Year13’s Academy aims to provide all young people with the opportunity […]

General Motors Snares Heath Walker From Scania
  • Advertising

General Motors Snares Heath Walker From Scania

General Motors has announced the appointment of Heath Walker (lead image) as the new marketing director for GM Australia and New Zealand, effective April 23, 2024. Walker brings a wealth of marketing and communications experience gained from working across various industries, including IT, sporting, and auto – notably Tesla, Nissan and most recently, Scania in […]