The ABC will axe up to 200 jobs to create a $50 million content fund and 80 new rural and regional jobs.
The public broadcaster will spend $15m per year on regional jobs and digital programs as part of the fund, financed by slashing management by 20 per cent and cutting ABC divisions from the current 14 to eight.
All employees will be free to pitch ideas to the $50 million fund, which ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie said was an unprecedented financial commitment by the Corporation designed to target audiences that don’t watch the ABC.
“The fund enables us to respond with flexibility and speed to shifting audience trends and to extend our reach and engagement, especially with audiences who are infrequent ABC users,” Ms Guthrie said.
Michelle Guthrie announces job cuts, $50m fund.
The ABC would recruit 80 staff in regional areas within 18 months, Ms Guthrie said. “We’re committing to an injection of funds, ultimately building to $15m a year, to provide more reporters and content makers, better tools and increased video and digital output.”
The deadline for redundancies, which could be up to 200, was the end of June. As part of the process, ABC TV and ABC News will reduce production and support roles as part of internal efficiency targets.
Ms Guthrie said many media companies had made painful decisions to reduce employee numbers. “These changes are essential to the long-term health of the Corporation, but I acknowledge that this is little comfort to those whose roles are impacted.
“We will work with unions and with affected staff. We will be open and move as quickly as possible to end the uncertainty in affected areas.”
ABC veteran David Anderson, previously the director of corporate strategy and planning and of the digital network, was appointed director of ABC Television.
Leisa Bacon, the director of audience and marketing, was appointed to head the new Audiences Division and oversee the use of the Content Fund.
The ABC will recruit 80 staff in regional areas within 18 months, said Michelle Guthrie.
Louise Higgins, formerly at the BBC and at Nova Entertainment, joins the ABC as Chief Financial Officer, while Sam Liston, formerly director of ABC People, becomes Chief Engagement Officer.
David Pendleton, who resigned as chief operating office, will act as interim chief technology officer while the ABC recruits an executive for that position.
Ms Guthrie said the ABC must adapt to sweeping changes in the media landscape.
“These initiatives recognise that incremental reform isn’t the answer and that transformational change over the next year is essential if the ABC is to realise its full potential. Change that strengthens the organisation, empowers our people and delivers long-term results for audiences.”
Under the new structure, the four content divisions of TV, Radio, News and Regional will sit alongside new divisions for Finance, Technology, Engagement and Audiences. Editorial Policies and Government Relations will be specialist functions reporting to Ms Guthrie.
The ABC International division will integrate into the ABC “to better serve audiences in the Asia-Pacific region and deliver on its International Charter remit”, the ABC said.
