Ita Buttrose to appoint Lee Lin Chin as ABC boss

EXCLUSIVE: Ita Buttrose is set to appoint Lee Lin Chin as ABC Managing Director in her first move since becoming Chair of the ABC Board.

TV Tonight understands secret meetings have taken place with the former SBS news presenter, as Buttrose seeks to lead ABC into a progressive and inclusive era.

Chin left SBS in July, capping off 30 years experience in public broadcasting. Known for her knowledge, directness, sense of humour and striking fashion sense, Chin’s appointment is believed to have enthused beleaguered ABC staff looking to shrug off the fallout of Michelle Guthrie’s sacking.

Industry has been awaiting a permanent managing director after David Anderson assumed the role in an acting capacity.

“Ita wants to make a statement with her first move as ABC Chair,” an insider revealed.

“Lee Lin Chin ticks plenty of boxes and can do no wrong. She’s wildly-popular across all demographics, but don’t dismiss the fact she has 3 decades behind the scenes at a public broadcaster. She’s like a font of knowledge, she knows where the bodies are buried. She’ll be able to charm the politicians and nobody will ever want to be seen as the bad guy.

“It’s a genius bloody move.”

‘Wildly-popular’ is an understatement. Chin has a social media following at over 250,000 followers. In February she joked about assuming the role on Twitter, which caught the eye of ABC insiders.

Dear @ABCaustralia I see you’re taking applications for a new Managing Director. I shan’t be applying. A queen doesn’t apply for jobs, she is offered them. I look forward to your forthcoming deal memo.

— Lee Lin Chin (@LeeLinChin) February 16, 2019

Buttrose is believed to have wooed the former SBS doyenne over cocktails and Uber Eats.

“Yes I will accept Ms. Buttrose’s coronation. I deserve it,” Lee Lin Chin said.

“I have further agreed to selfies with my minions in the ABC foyer, strictly between the hours of 2 and 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

Yet while Buttrose is also hoping to push Chin into an on-air role, the former SBS World News presenter is having none of it.

“I plan to move into my office, listen to all the ideas from middle management while having a cucumber face mask and then dismiss them all,” she said.

“From there I’ll just wing it.”

#ManaChinDirector

Image: Roberto Parlavecchio