The outcome of the ABC commissioned review of racism is due by the end of next month and MD David Anderson has reconfirmed it will be made public.

Originally due at the end of this month, Managing Director, David Anderson, told Senate Estimates Committee that he now expects the report of the independent ABC Systems Review into Racism being led by Dr Terri Janke, a Wuthathi/Meriam lawyer, by the end of July.

“Because of the nature of the consultations, which are more one to one than one to many, which is understandable, they asked me if they could take longer and I said, 'Yes, of course.' It is important for them to take their time and make sure that it is done thoroughly.”

Anderson reiterated his commitment that the final report will be made publicly available once the report and the ABC’s response have been provided to staff.

He said that about 100 current and former staff members have been interviewed as part of the review, including himself and his leadership team. 

The review was announced in the wake of Stan Grant’s announcement that he was leaving the broadcaster because of the racial abuse he had experienced after being involved in coverage of King Charles’ coronation.

ABC Friends welcomed the review, after earlier releasing a statement condemning the racial attacks on the former Q+A host.  

Anderson told the hearing that he expected to receive recommendations about prevention of racial abuse and anonymised information about racism experienced within and outside the ABC by current and former staff. Anderson was not asked by Senators if Stan Grant had been interviewed.

 “I do expect that to give me more insight into what else we can do to make sure that, if anybody does experience racism, they are supported appropriately, and, if that happens within the organisation, that people have confidence that, by coming forward, the situation will be better for doing so.”

Anderson said he and chief people officer, Deena Amorelli, wanted to implement the review’s recommendations as quickly as possible.

When announcing the review, Anderson said he had acted on the advice of the Bonner Committee, the ABC’s advisory body on issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Sophie Arnold
Enews Editor