ABC board director resigns following pressure from chair Ita Buttrose

Balfour’s exit comes two weeks after the federal government confirmed the impending departure of board director Joseph Gersh, who will leave his role in May once his first term expires. Gersh, the executive chairman of Gersh Investment Partners and director of the Sydney Institute, was appointed to the board by the Turnbull government in 2018. This means the federal government will be forced to replace two directors while ABC employees separately decide whom to appoint as their staff-elected director.

The rules say there can be no fewer than four, and no more than six, in addition to the managing director, chairperson, and a staff-elected director. The board meets six times a year, with a remuneration of $58,670 a year for non-executive directors.

To be chosen for the board, candidates go through a merit-based selection process, which includes a panel of four members. The process includes written applications, interviews, referee and probity checks. A shortlist of three or more candidates is then presented to the minister. That process is expected to be complicated by the quiet departure of panelist Kirstin Ferguson, who resigned from her position last week.

The federal government’s search for directors has coincided with an internal nomination process to replace staff-elected board director, Jane Connors.

ABC 7:30’s chief political correspondent Laura Tingle, ABC Radio Sydney presenter Indira Naidoo, ABC News presenter Dan Bourchier and business reporter Dan Ziffer all faced off against one another in voting on Friday. They were joined by head of Indigenous, diversity and inclusion, Kelly Williams, who also campaigned for the role. A decision will not be made for at least one month.

The board changes are occurring at a critical time for ABC management, who are trying to negotiate a new enterprise agreement with ABC staff. ABC employees last week lodged two separate requests with the Fair Work Commission that ultimately will allow them to strike.

On Friday, the ABC offered employees a three-year agreement with a 10.5 percent total salary increase, skewed heavily towards the first year. It is also offering a one-off $1500 payment in the first year. The offer will be put to a vote.