A parliamentary inquiry into political interference in the ABC has urged the government to overhaul selection criteria for board members.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The committee released its findings on Monday after the inquiry was sparked by the axing of managing director Michelle Guthrie and subsequent departure of chair Justin Milne last year.
Allegations of political interference emerged after the ABC's board sacked Ms Guthrie halfway through her five-year term in September, with claims Mr Milne had pressured her to sack journalists.
Greens senator and committee chair Sarah Hanson-Young said trust in the national broadcaster could be diminished if governments continued to undermine the organisation's independence.
"The committee believes that political interference or the prospect of political interference, and all that that entails, is experienced to varying degrees throughout the ABC," the report said.
Selection criteria for the ABC board should ensure at least two members have media experience and allow for education experts to be considered.
Laws should be changed to ensure the prime minister consults with the leader of the opposition on the outcome of the panel's recruitment process and discuss its recommendations.
The committee also recommended a statement outlining the consultation be tabled in parliament.
The ABC should review the findings of the parliamentary inquiry and the controversial departures before reporting to the communications minister on what has been done to avoid a repeat of the saga.
The committee also wants the government to acknowledge that stable and sufficient ABC funding would guard against political interference.
Liberal senator and committee deputy chair Jonathon Duniam said in a dissenting report the government strongly rejected there was political interference throughout the ABC.
"The inquiry found no evidence of political interference by the government or the former prime minister," he wrote.
Australian Associated Press
