Report: SBS Chairman loses out in political game
SBS Chairman Joseph Skrzynski had the support of Malcolm Turnbull, but not Tony Abbott, according to a media report.
- Published by David Knox
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SBS chairman Joseph Skrzynski lost out on a second term with the broadcaster in a battle between Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Prime Minister Tony Abbott, according to a report in Fairfax.
Turnbull lobbied strongly for Skrzynski to remain in the role, but was overruled by the Prime Minister’s office, it is claimed.
Skrzynski was informed around Christmas he would have to reapply for the role, Fairfax reports. But the position has not been advertised even though his term expires next week.
Yesterday an SBS statement indicated Skrzynski’s five-year term will not be renewed.
Fairfax reports the ABC and SBS has concerns the government has stalled board appointments until it can replace two members of the independent four-person nomination panel with its own appointees.
Deputy chair Hass Dellal will be acting chairman until a permanent replacement is found, but it could be for as long as six months at a time when the government has an efficiency view into the public broadcasters underway.
Shadow communications minister Jason Clare said: “The previous government established a comprehensive merit based process for appointments to the boards of our public broadcasters. The government should follow this process to the letter of the law.
“The Liberal party is divided on this. Malcolm Turnbull wants to appoint the best person for the job by reappointing Joseph Skrzynski but he has been rolled again by Tony Abbott and his office who don’t want to give Malcolm Turnbull what he wants.”
But The Australian says Malcolm Turnbull did not support the reappointment of Skrzynski.
Yesterday Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull said: ”Joe Skrzynski has been an outstanding chairman of SBS, a role in which he brought together his years of business experience, his deep and lived experience of multiculturalism and his passionate commitment to Australian arts and culture. SBS is a stronger organisation for his leadership and on behalf of the Government I thank him for his service in this important role.”
4 Responses
… And so it begins.
Oh dear. In 1997 John Howard’s communications minister told the ABC to drop the telecast of the Gay Mardi Gras or else the ABC would have its funding cut. They had to comply. Now the chairman of SBS has been forced out a few weeks after the network showed the Mardi Gras. A coincidence?
Joseph Skryznski was an outstanding appointment to SBS and no reasonable thinking person from either side of politics could object to him. He’s made an outstanding contribution to the arts and has a breathtaking array of commercial skills. Tony Abbott is an absolute idiot to get rid of him but seems far happier to appoint mediocre sycophants than people of merit. But this is the same government which has also demeaned David Gonski over his education review, a man of integrity, fairness and an awesome intellect.
Malcolm I feel sorry for what you are up against.
Stand up to him Malcolm – for all of our sakes and to protect SBS & ABC from his diabolical political agenda for the media.