ABC chairman under fire

ABC chairman Justin Milne is under pressure to resign as the government launches a probe into a claim he tried to sack a journalist after complaints from Malcolm Turnbull.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison intervened in the dispute yesterday after earlier refusing to comment on the claim that Mr Milne urged former managing director Michelle Guthrie to “get rid of” economics correspondent Emma Alberici because the government “hate her”.

The claims of political interference are a dramatic escalation of tensions at the top of the national broadcaster just days after Ms Guthrie was forced out only halfway through her five-year term after a split with Mr Milne.

It is understood Ms Guthrie provided a document to other board members defending her position days before she was sacked which included an email from Mr Milne urging her to fire Ms Alberici.

“We are tarred with her brush. I think it’s simple. Get rid of her. We need to save the ABC – not Emma. There is no guarantee they [the Coalition] will lose the next election,” Mr Milne reportedly said.

Mr Milne, who was once in business with Mr Turnbull, is also believed to have called for the removal of comedy show Tonightly and pressured Triple J not to move its Hottest 100 countdown from Australia Day after complaints from the former Prime Minister.

When Ms Guthrie’s departure was announced on Monday, Mr Milne criticised Ms Guthrie’s “leadership style” and suggested she had not been able to effectively lobby the government.

ABC staff around the country demanded Mr Milne resign his position if the leaked email is shown to be accurate.

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield announced the inquiry, to be conducted by the Secretary of his department Mike Mrdak, after meeting Mr Morrison late yesterday.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has branded Mr Milne’s position “untenable” after what he described as interference by the government.

“No political party has the right to interfere like this with the ABC,” Mr Shorten said.

Mr Morrison earlier said the ABC “should conduct itself in a highly independent and unbiased way”.

Mr Milne appeared ready to fight for his position, saying the ABC board had met it obligations to “independently govern the Corporation, protect its best interests, ensure that it is well funded, well managed and that our content is of the highest standards”.