Kim Williams, former chief executive of News Corp Australia, will replace Ita Buttrose as the chair of the ABC, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Wednesday morning.
Buttrose, who confirmed last year that she would not seek a second term, will conclude her role in March.
Albanese emphasised the importance of the national broadcaster, describing it as “one of our most important institutions” and a crucial element of Australia’s cultural identity and democracy.
Williams, with his extensive leadership experience, was hailed as a “perfect fit” for providing the right leadership to the ABC.
“Kim Williams … of all the people who were forwarded potentially as candidates for this position, shares a life experience and a breadth of capacity that he will bring to this role,” Albanese said.
The announcement comes amid a challenging period for the broadcaster, marked by a vote of no confidence in managing director David Anderson by union members.
This follows the ABC’s defense against allegations of the unlawful termination of journalist Antoinette Lattouf, adding to concerns about the broadcaster’s impartiality in reporting on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Kim Williams, who has held leadership roles at various organisations, including the Sydney Opera House Trust and the Australian Film Commission, brings a wealth of experience to the ABC.
Despite past controversies during his tenure at News Corp, Williams is recognised for his profound understanding of the media landscape in Australia.
Albanese’s announcement concludes months of speculation about Ita Buttrose’s successor, with the prime minister expressing confidence in Williams as the right choice for steering the national broadcaster through these challenging times.
