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MEDIA RELEASE 19 MAY 2002

Kroger's resignation not enough

Shadow communications minister Lindsay Tanner has called on Michael Kroger to resign from the ABC board. Friends of the ABC say that calls for Michael Kroger's resignation from the ABC board are not enough.

"Mr Kroger must go", said Friends of the ABC National Spokesperson, Darce Cassidy, "but that will not be enough to save the independence and credibility of the ABC board. It is not just a matter of getting rid of a rogue board member, the whole process of appointing the ABC board must be reformed. Both major parties have undermined ABC independence by stacking it with their friends. We need a better system"

"Mr Kroger's apparent inability to keep his friendship with Alan Jones separate from his role as an ABC board member compromises the independence of the ABC. So does his apparent failure to keep his Liberal Party and Channel 9 connections separate from his role on the ABC board.

"Mr Kroger now seems to be engaged, by proxy, in an public dispute with ABC Chairman Donald McDonald. Mr Kroger's friend Alan Jones has used his privileged position as a commercial broadcaster to attack the ABC chairman. Mr. Jones had repeated claims that Mr McDonald wants the ABC chief executive's job for himself, claims which Mr McDonald had already categorically denied.

"It was timely that Democrats Senator Vicki Bourne introduced a Bill providing for a new method of appointing the ABC board into the Senate this week. That Bill provides for either house of parliament to veto partisan or otherwise unsuitable appointments. It deserves urgent consideration.

"So to does the model introduced by the Conservative government of John Major in the United Kingdom. It sets up an open and transparent process for board appointments. Vacancies are advertised, selection criteria developed, and a short list published from which the Minister selects.

"These are just two of several alternative procedures. Whatever new method is chosen, the public is entitled to be assured that all appointments are above board."
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Contact details: Darce Cassidy Phone 03 9349 4280 mobile 0412 685 178 fax 03 9349 4282
Email darce@friendsoftheabc.org