ABC boss says Senate inquiry into how it handles complaints is ‘problematic’

ABC boss David Anderson says running a Senate probe into how the public broadcaster handles complaints at the same time an independent investigation is already underway would be “problematic”. Mr Anderson appeared before Senate estimates on Monday, where Liberal senators peppered him with questions about the broadcaster dealt with gripes from the community. It came after a Morrison government inquiry into the ABC’s complaints handling process, just weeks after the ABC opened its own inquiry, was shut down. Under questioning from Liberal Senator David Van, Mr Anderson said he did not think the ABC was above scrutiny. “I don’t think we’re above the scrutiny of the Senate committee, but I think trying to run the same inquiry at the same time to deliver an outcome ahead of what the board is doing, and what the board is obligated to do, I think is problematic,” Mr Anderson told the environment and communications legislation committee. Its chair, Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg, initiated but it was shut down by the Senate after a motion from Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young who, with the support of Labor and independent crossbenchers, voted to suspend it until the ABC completed its own investigation. ABC chair Ita Buttrose earlier this month labelled the Morrison government’s “parallel” inquiry an act of “political interference” designed to intimidate the public broadcaster. Mr Anderson on Monday told the committee he agreed with Ms Buttrose about trying to run both inquiries at the same time. “Anything in tandem delivering before the board’s review, I think, is prejudicial towards the outcome that the board has put in place and is trying to run at the same time,” he said. “The board has statutory independence that should be observed.” “So you would have no problem for this committee to run an inquiry into your complaints handling, post that review?” Senator Van asked. “Post the review? No. I think while we’re running the review, I think that’s a problem,” Mr Anderson said. The ABC board in October initiated an independent review of the broadcaster’s complaints systems by former Commonwealth and NSW Ombudsman Professor John McMillan, and former SBS news and current affairs director Jim Carroll. The broadcaster launched the probe after the system came under security following this year’s airing of documentaries “Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire” and “Juanita: A Family Mystery”. The findings are due to be released in April. Mr Anderson also told the inquiry the ABC budgeted about $7m a year for legal fees. In addition, it was on the verge of reaching a deal with Facebook after earlier signing a letter of intent, saying the agreement would provide “dozens and dozens of jobs” for regional and rural journalism. “We haven’t signed the agreement yet - I’m hoping to actually have that signed in the next 48 hours,” Mr Anderson said. “It is good news.”