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Additional comments by Senator Bob Brown, Australian Greens
Inquiry into ABC Board Appointments
The politicisation of the ABC, whichever party is in
government, is paralleled by the polyglot of dissenting reports here.
While I support the Chair’s recommendation, because it is a
real advance on the status quo, the British option of an independent board,
seen to be at arm’s length from political appointment or influence, is better
still.
The recommendation, under the Chair’s option, that ultimate
responsibility for appointments reside with the minister, and that there be
advertising for board positions before the Committee reaches its selection, are
important.
In summary I recommend:
- The British model, involving an Office of the Commissioner of
Public Appointments, be used to appoint ABC board members.
- The Chair of the board should be elected by the board.
- There should be two staff of the ABC on the board, elected by
preferential (Hare-Clarke) voting.
- The guidelines or criteria for selection of board members should
be drawn up in consultation with the board.
- The failure of the current board to offer any submission or
advice to this inquiry is unacceptable and, of itself, points to the need for
change.
_____________
Bob Brown
Greens Senator
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