The ABC’s deputy chair, Peter Tonagh, has resigned early from the national broadcaster in a shock Christmas announcement.
Mr Tonagh’s departure was detailed in a statement on the broadcaster’s website on Christmas Eve.
ABC chair Kim Williams said Mr Tonagh had provided his resignation from the ABC Board to the Governor General and would cease his duties as deputy chair of the board.
He had informed Communications minister Michelle Rowland of the move and said Mr Tonagh had made a ‘valuable contribution to the effective running of the ABC’ since his appointment in May 2021.
Mr Tonagh said he was ‘very grateful’ for the opportunity to have served on the ABC board.
He was also supportive of the the appointment of Hugh Marks as the broadcaster’s next managing director from 10 March 2025.
He thought the ABC had been ‘well served’ by its departing managing director David Anderson.
Mr Tonagh was appointed to the ABC Board by the Morrison government for a five-year term.
Mr Tonagh said he was ‘very grateful’ for the opportunity to have served on the ABC board
ABC chair Kim Williams said Mr Tonagh had provided his resignation from the ABC Board to the Governor General and would cease his duties as deputy chair of the board
He was previously a chief executive of News Corp for five months, and Foxtel for almost two years.
After departing Foxtel he headed up the government’s efficiency review of the ABC and SBS.
His resignation comes after a range of beloved presenters at the broadcaster failed to have their contracts renewed.
The bloodbath included hosts such as Sarah Macdonald, Richard Glover, Simon Marnie and Robbie Buck who were told they wouldn’t have their contracts extended into 2025.
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