Key Points
- Current chair Ita Buttrose revealed in late 2023 she would not seek reappointment.
- Williams has held a number of executive positions in organisations across the creative industry.
- It comes as the ABC endures a PR storm over journalist Antoinette Lattouf's unlawful termination lawsuit.
Former News Limited chief executive Kim Williams has been named the new chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, replacing Ita Buttrose as controversy brews at the national broadcaster.
The prime minister made the announcement on Wednesday morning after Buttrose revealed in late 2023 she would not seek reappointment.
"The breadth of his experience is matched by its depth and his intellect, his energy and his insatiable curiosity of all men, that he's been able to devote himself to a great diversity of passions," Anthony Albanese told reporters.
"Kim Williams is a natural fit for the ABC."
He is set to take over the position in March.
Who is Kim Williams?
Williams has held several executive positions in organisations across the creative industry from the Australian Film Commission to Fox Studios, and other news media such as News Corp Australia.
He is also a prominent administrator of the arts, having been chair of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Film Finance Corporation and the Sydney Opera House Trust.
Williams has also dabbled in sports and was AFL Commissioner earlier in his career.
He thanked the prime minister and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland for his appointment.
"The role of chair of the ABC is clearly a solemn responsibility," he said.
Anthony Albanese said Kim Williams is "a natural fit for the ABC". Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Lattouf dispute
It comes as the ABC endures a PR storm with journalist against the national broadcaster after her contract was allegedly discontinued over a Human Rights Watch post about Gaza.
A number of high-profile journalists from diverse backgrounds including Stan Grant and Nour Haydar have also left the ABC within the last 12 months.
Since then, unionised ABC staff members passed a vote of no confidence in managing director David Anderson.
Antoinette Lattouf claims her termination from the ABC was unlawful and the broadcaster's decision to remove her after she shared a post from Human Rights Watch (HRW) that claimed Israel was using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza meant she was dismissed on the grounds of "political opinion". Credit: Instagram
"At the core of all journalism at the ABC is the imperative of being absolutely, verifiably independent," he said.
Albanese said he had full confidence in the ABC chair and Anderson as he paid tribute to Ita Buttrose.
"She was the right chair for the right time and we wish her well in all her future endeavours," he said.
