Prime Minister Scott Morrison's cabinet has reportedly signed off on the appointment of Ita Buttrose as the ABC's next chair
Reports emerged on Monday that Ms Buttrose, the 2013 Australian of the Year, was shaping up as the government's pick for the national broadcaster's top job.Communications Minister said at the time a decision has not yet been made.
But when asked about the potential appointment, Prime Minister Scott Morrison described Ms Buttrose as an"extraordinary Australian". "There have been few people more than Ita that I think have lifted the standards of journalism in this country,"Mr Morrison also confirmed Ms Buttrose was not on a shortlist of candidates prepared by an independent nomination panel.Labor leader Bill Shorten said Ms Buttrose is a well-respected Australian, but raised concerns that she was not canvassed through the government's headhunting process.
"Her name has risen to be chair of the ABC because the company the government contracted couldn't even get the process right and now we've got more political interference," he told reporters on Monday. Former chair Justin Milne stood down in September after being accused of encouraging ex-managing director Michelle Guthrie to fire some journalists, claims he has denied.