Ita Buttrose to step down from ABC

afr.com:

Ita Buttrose has told the government she will not seek a second term as chairwoman of the influential ABC board, and plans to step down when her term expires in March next year.

Her decision means the Albanese government will soon start the selection process for a new chairman.

ABC chairwoman Ita Buttrose wants more young blood on the public broadcaster’s board. 

Ms Buttrose, 81, a former high-profile TV personality and women’s magazine editor, took over the role in 2019 from Justin Milne, who resigned after allegations of political interference in the decision to sack former managing director Michelle Guthrie.

Ms Buttrose was chosen by former prime minister Scott Morrison. Her tenure ends on March 6 next year.

The government now has three roles to fill on the ABC’s usually nine-person board. There are currently only seven members, including Ms Buttrose, ABC managing director David Anderson and journalist Laura Tingle, who was chosen as the staff-elected director. Joe Gersh and Fiona Balfour left in the past year.

“I have enjoyed my time at the ABC immensely and am honoured to have chaired such a great Australian institution for five years,” Ms Buttrose said in a statement on Tuesday.

“There is still work to be done between now and March next year. Until then, it is business as usual.” She thanked Mr Morrison for appointing her to the role.

Less than a week ago, on Friday, she said she was undecided about her future as chair. “I’m mulling it over,” she told ABC Radio in Melbourne. “I’m expecting to have a conversation with the minister shortly.”

On Tuesday, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland praised Ms Buttrose for her stable leadership of the broadcaster through the COVID-19 pandemic, and for overseeing its