Outgoing ABC chairman backs political appointment system
Source : Australian Broadcasting Corporation
December 20, 2006
The outgoing ABC chairman, Donald McDonald, is backing the political appointment system that gave him his job.
Mr McDonald is retiring at the end of the year after more than 10 years at the head of the broadcaster.
Last night Prime Minister John Howard and prominent arts, business and community leaders attended a farewell dinner for him at the ABC's Sydney studios.
Mr McDonald says despite the inevitable criticism, government-led appointments are the most democratic way to fill the job.
"If we can't trust them to make these sorts of decisions correctly, then there's always the ballot box next time around," he said.
"I think there is an anti-democratic notion behind removing appointments from that democratically elected Government."
© Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Mr McDonald is retiring at the end of the year after more than 10 years at the head of the broadcaster.
Last night Prime Minister John Howard and prominent arts, business and community leaders attended a farewell dinner for him at the ABC's Sydney studios.
Mr McDonald says despite the inevitable criticism, government-led appointments are the most democratic way to fill the job.
"If we can't trust them to make these sorts of decisions correctly, then there's always the ballot box next time around," he said.
"I think there is an anti-democratic notion behind removing appointments from that democratically elected Government."
© Australian Broadcasting Corporation
