Footnotes

Chapter 1 - Introduction

[1]        Senate Selection of Bills Committee, Report No. 11 of 2010: see Senate Hansard, 30 September 2010, p. 529. The bill was first introduced into the House of Representatives on 29 October 2009, and passed on 4 February 2010. It was introduced into the Senate on 4 February 2010, but lapsed at the end of the 42nd Parliament before being debated. It was reintroduced into the House of Representatives in the new parliament on 30 September 2010.

[2]        Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Measures to ensure strong and independent national broadcasters', 16 October 2008, www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2008/076 (accessed 8 November 2010). Information about the existing process is available from the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy website, www.dbcde.gov.au/television/abc_and_sbs_board_appointments (accessed 8 November 2010).

[3]        National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Schedule 1, Item 15, clause 24B (ABC); Item 29, clause 43 (SBS).

[4]        National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Schedule 1, Item 15, clauses 24E and 24F. Note that the proposed amendments to the SBS Act provide that the nomination panel is that established under the ABC Act: Item 18.

[5]        National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Schedule 1, Item 15, clause 24C.

[6]        National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Schedule 1, Item 15, clause 24W (ABC); Item 29, clause 43A (SBS).

[7]        The requirement is currently provided in subsection 12(5) of the ABC Act, and the guidelines currently used to select ABC Board directors: Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, answer to question on notice, 1 November 2010 (received 8 November 2010). The bill retains this requirement for appointment to the ABC Board in item 12, subclause 12(5).

[8]        National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Schedule 1, Item 15, subclause 24B(3) (ABC); Item 29, subclause 43(3) (SBS).

[9]        National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Schedule 1, Item 15, subclause 24B(2) (ABC); Item 29, subclause 43(2) (SBS).

[10]      National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Schedule 1, Item 15, paragraph 24B(1)(d) (ABC); Item 29, paragraph 43(1)(d) (SBS).

[11]      National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Schedule 1, Item 15, subclause 24X(1).

[12]      National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Schedule 1, Item 15, subclauses 24X(2)–(4) (ABC); Item 29, clause 43B (SBS).

[13]      National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Schedule 1, Item 8 (ABC); Item 26 (SBS).

[14]      National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Schedule 1, Item 12, subclause (5A) (ABC); Item 24, subclause 17(2A) (SBS).

[15]      See Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment Bill 2006, May 2006, at www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/ecita_ctte/completed_inquiries/2004-07/broadcasting/index.htm (accessed 2 November 2010).

[16]      National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Schedule 2, Item 4, subclause 13A(1).

[17]      Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, p. 20.

[18]      ABC Act, as at 1 July 2005, ss. 17(1A).

Chapter 2 - Merit-based appointment of directors

[1]        The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, House of Representatives Hansard, 30 September 2010, p. 266.

[2]        The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, House of Representatives Hansard, 30 September 2010, p. 266.

[3]        For example Ken Inglis, This is the ABC, Melbourne, Melbourne University Press, 1983; Rebecca Harrison, 'The Howard Government's record of political appointments', Crikey, 29 November 2007, at: www.crikey.com.au/2007/11/29/the-howard-governments-record-of-political-appointments/ (accessed 3 November 2010); Ari Sharp, 'Janet Albrechtsen to step down as director on ABC board, SMH Online, 11 November 2009, at www.smh.com.au/national/janet-albrechtsen-to-step-down-as-director-on-abc-board-20091110-i7lr.html (accessed 3 November 2010).

[4]        Senate Select Committee on ABC Management and Operations, Our ABC, March 1995; Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment Bill 2006, May 2006.

[5]        Mr Donald McDonald, former Chair of the ABC Board, was the only witness who was not in favour of the amendments proposed by the bill. The Merit Protection Commissioner did not express a view in her submission: Submission 6.

[6]        Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee, Above Board, Methods of appointment to the ABC Board, September 2001, p. 13, quoting Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, submission 592, p. 1.

[7]        Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 22.

[8]        See for example Senate Select Committee on ABC Management and Operations, Our ABC, March 1995, pp 139–144; Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee, Above Board, Methods of appointment to the ABC Board, September 2001 pp 7–13.

[9]        Mr Matt Peacock, Delegate, Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 6.

[10]      Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 22.

[11]      Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 22.

[12]      Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 22.

[13]      Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 22.

[14]      Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, pp 22–23.

[15]      Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 23.

[16]      Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 23.

[17]      ABC Act, subpara. 6(2)(a)(iii).

[18]      ABC Act, para. 8(1)(b).

[19]      SBS Act, para. 10(1)(a).

[20]      'SBS Purpose' at www.sbs.com.au/web/documents/SBSValues1208.pdf (accessed 4 November 2010).

[21]      Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 23.

[22]      Ms Glenys Stradijot, Campaign Manager/Executive Officer, Friends of the ABC, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 11.

[23]      ABC Act, s12(2); SBS Act, s17(1).

[24]      ABC Act, s12(5); SBS Act, s17(2).

[25]      Mr Donald McDonald AC, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 18.

[26]      Mr Donald McDonald AC, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 18.

[27]      Mr Donald McDonald AC, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 18.

[28]      Mr Quentin Dempster AC, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 22.

[29]      Senator the Hon Richard Alston, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, 'Reappointment of Donald McDonald as Chairman of the ABC', Media Release, 5 July 2001 at www.dbcde.gov.au/Article/0,,0_4-2_4008-4_15854,00.html (accessed 4 October 2010).

[30]      Mr Donald McDonald, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 18.

[31]      Ms Glenys Stradijot, Campaign Manager/Executive Officer, Friends of the ABC, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 11.

[32]      Friends of the ABC (NSW) (Submission 1); Friends of the ABC (SA) (Submission 2); Mr Quentin Dempster (Submission 3); Friends of the ABC (NSW, Qld, Tas, Vic & WA) (Submission 4); and the CPSU (Submission 5) all supported the merit-based appointment process proposed by the bill. Ms Annwyn Godwin, Merit Protection Commissioner (Submission 6) did not express a view on the merit-based provisions of the bill, however expressed support of merit-based selection generally. Mr Donald McDonald, who appeared before the committee but did not make a submission was the only witness who did not support the bill.

[33]      Friends of the ABC (NSW), Submission 1, p. 1.

[34]      CPSU, Submission 5, p. 4.

[35]      Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 23.

[36]      The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, House of Representatives Hansard, 30 September 2010, p. 266.

[37]      Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 27.

[38]      Mr Donald McDonald AC, Privacy Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 14.

[39]      See Dr van Barneveld and Mr Peacock, CPSU, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 6.

[40]      Committee on Standards in Public Life, 'Standards in Public Life: First Report', May 1995, www.public-standards.gov.uk/Library/OurWork/1stInquiryReport.pdf (accessed 4 November 2010).

[41]      Dr Kristin van Barneveld, Deputy National Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 1.

[42]      The Commissioner for Public Appointments (UK), 'The Seven Code Principles', www.publicappointmentscommissioner.org/Code_of_Practice/ef8446f3551.html (accessed 4 November 2010).

[43]      See discussion at paragraph 1.5.

[44]      Friends of the ABC (NSW), Submission 1, p. 3.

[45]      Dr Simon Pelling, First Assistant Secretary, Broadcasting and Switchover, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 35.

[46]      Committee on Standards in Public Life, 'Standards in Public Life: First Report', May 1995, p. 72.

[47]      Committee on Standards in Public Life, 'Standards in Public Life: First Report', May 1995, p. 73.

[48]      Dr Simon Pelling, First Assistant Secretary, Broadcasting and Switchover, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 35.

[49]      See National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Item 12, subclause 12(5A) (ABC); Item 24, subclause 17(2A) (SBS).

[50]      Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, p. 3.

[51]      Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, pp 6 and 15.

[52]      Friends of the ABC (NSW), Submission 1, p. 1.

[53]      Mr Donald McDonald AC, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 14.

[54]      Dr Kristin van Barneveld, Deputy National Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 2.

[55]      Merit Protection Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 2.

[56]      Lobbying Code of Conduct, 2008, subclause 7.1, at http://lobbyists.pmc.gov.au/docs/code_conduct.pdf (accessed 5 November 2010).

[57]      Committee on Standards in Public Life, 'Standards in Public Life: First Report', May 1995, p. 75.

[58]      Dr Simon Pelling, First Assistant Secretary, Broadcasting and Switchover, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 35.

[59]      See discussion at 1.4 above. See also National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Item 15, clause 24F.

[60]      Friends of the ABC (NSW, Qld, Tas, Vic & WA), Submission 4, p. 2.

[61]      Dr Kristin van Barneveld, Deputy National Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 1.

[62]      Dr Kristin van Barneveld, Deputy National Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 1.

[63]      Ms Glenys Stradijot, Campaign Manager/Executive Officer, Friends of the ABC, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 7.

[64]      Dr Wendy Southern, Acting Deputy Secretary, Governance, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, pp 30–31.

[65]      Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, answer to question on notice from hearing of 1 November 2010 (received 8 November 2010).

[66]      Merit Protection Commissioner, Submission 6, Attachment 2, p. 6.

[67]      A list of agencies and positions to which the policy applies is at www.apsc.gov.au/apsprofile/agencyheadselection.htm.

[68]      Merit Protection Commissioner, Submission 6, Attachment 2, p. 6.

[69]      Merit Protection Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 4.

[70]      Committee on Standards in Public Life, 'Standards in Public Life: First Report', May 1995, p. 75.

[71]      Dr Simon Pelling, First Assistant Secretary, Broadcasting and Switchover, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 35.

[72]      Committee on Standards in Public Life, 'Standards in Public Life: First Report', May 1995, p. 82.

[73]      Dr Simon Pelling, First Assistant Secretary, Broadcasting and Switchover, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 35.

[74]      National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Item 15, subclause 24B(3) (ABC); Item 29, subclause 43(3).

[75]      National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, Schedule 1, Item 15, subclause 24X(2) and (4) (ABC); Item 29, clause 43B (SBS).

[76]      Dr Simon Pelling, First Assistant Secretary, Broadcasting and Switchover, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 35.

[77]      The Commissioner for Public Appointments (UK), 'The Seven Code Principles', at www.publicappointmentscommissioner.org/Code_of_Practice/ef8446f3551.html (accessed 4 November 2010).

[78]      Dr Simon Pelling, First Assistant Secretary, Broadcasting and Switchover, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 35.

[79]      Dr Simon Pelling, First Assistant Secretary, Broadcasting and Switchover, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, pp 31–32.

Chapter 3 - Staff-elected director

[1]        Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee, Above Board, Methods of appointment to the ABC Board, September 2001, p. 22.

[2]        Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment Act 2006 (No. 49 of 2006).

[3]        Senate Hansard, 10 May 2006, p. 10.

[4]        Dr Kristin van Barneveld, Deputy National Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 6.

[5]        Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 24.

[6]        Mr Quentin Dempster, Submission 3, pp 6–9.

[7]        Mr Donald McDonald AC, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 16.

[8]        Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 27.

[9]        Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment Bill 2006, May 2006, p. 1.

[10]      Senator the Hon Nick Minchin, Second Reading Speech, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment Bill 2006, 29 March 2006.

[11]      Dr Kristin van Barneveld, Deputy National Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, pp 4–5.

[12]      Dr Kristin van Barneveld, Deputy National Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 2.

[13]      Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 25.

[14]      ABC Act, subsection 8(1).

[15]      Mr Donald McDonald AC, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 15.

[16]      Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 27.

[17]      Mr Donald McDonald AC, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 15.

[18]      Mr Quentin Dempster, Private Capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 1 November 2010, p. 23.

[19]      SBS Act, para. 17(2)(c).