A Senate inquiry into the way the ABC handles complaints has been dismissed as a "witch hunt" and a blatant display of political interference.
Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg last week announced the Senate communications committee would conduct a "surgical inquiry" into the complaints handling processes of both the ABC and SBS, Australia's public broadcasters.
ABC chair Ita Buttrose on Monday morning accused Senator Bragg of pursuing a heavy-handed political response, rather than simply picking up the phone to discuss his concerns.
"The role the ABC plays is vital in exposing situations that need to be corrected. We are not the enemy. We’re easily accessible. If you’ve got a complaint, if you’ve got a problem with the ABC, I am here to talk to you," Ms Buttrose told ABC Radio National.
“So why didn’t Senator Bragg give me a call? If he has a problem with the ABC, if he has a problem with the way our inquiry is being branded. That’s what most people do. They ring the boss.”
The ABC is currently reviewing its complaints handling system, with the help of two external experts.
Ms Buttrose urged Senator Bragg to wait for the results of that review, before pursuing a separate Senate inquiry.
"Does he agree with the notion of an independent public broadcaster and an independent board," she said.
“Or does he believe that politicians should be able to meddle in and dictate to the national broadcaster about content? Because that’s where this is leading.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has endorsed the parliamentary inquiry, suggesting the ABC is not above the scrutiny of the Senate.
"They have their independence and no one's questioning that," Mr Morrison told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
"But they are not above the scrutiny of how they conduct themselves using taxpayers' money."
Ms Buttrose has described the current relationship between the ABC and the government as “strained”.
“I think it’s strained and it’s a matter that concerns me very much. I wish we have a much better relationship with the government."
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young - who is the deputy chair of the Senate communications committee - on Monday morning called Senator Bragg's inquiry a "witch hunt".
"I’ll be moving as soon as Parliament gets back next week to stop this witch hunt from going ahead," she told the ABC.
"It is an abuse of proper process. It’s an abuse of government arrogance."
Additional reporting: AAP.
