ABC Boss a Master of Silence Amid Scrutiny on News Chief’s Abrupt Departure
ABC managing director Hugh Marks, appearing at Senate estimates after losing his news director a day earlier, gave a master class in sending a strong message by not saying anything. Justin Stevens resigned after four years in the role, citing personal and professional reasons. His exit was immediate, and the fact his successor had already been chosen raised questions.
Peppered by senators for answers over the abrupt resignation of the 19-year veteran of ABC news, Marks did nothing to dispel the suggestion Stevens had been removed. Liberal senator Sarah Henderson repeatedly asked if Stevens “was pushed”, “was encouraged to resign”, or “was on the chopping block”. Marks did not deny anything. “It’s an opportunity for us to move forward,” he offered instead. Asked if it was true that he had threatened to terminate Stevens if he didn’t resign, Marks replied: “Senator, I think it’s inappropriate for me to go into the details of individual discussions” and left it at that. It was the biggest indication so far that Marks has brought Nine’s culture to the ABC.
Timing Under Scrutiny
The timing of the announcement of Stevens’ departure on Wednesday is the subject on everyone’s lips at the ABC, not just because it was the day before Senate estimates but because the Age and the Sydney Morning Herald published a detailed story one minute after the managing director’s office sent out a note to staff. The timestamps are: Stevens’ email to news staff was sent at 1.52pm; MD office’s note to staff was sent at 1.53pm; and the story in the Nine papers was published at 1.54pm. Was the announcement coordinated? And if so, why? It would be unprecedented for the sacking of an ABC director to be leaked to the press. It happens at News Corp and Nine but not at Aunty.
Stevens was informed of the decision to remove him late last week but the announcement was suddenly brought forward on Wednesday. At estimates, Henderson thought she had the answer, asking Marks if the Nine story had been “briefed out”. She also asked if the Guardian’s scoop about the appointment of Simon Robinson had been “briefed out”. Marks certainly did not want his big announcement of a shiny new hire to be spoiled. He was reportedly furious it was revealed during estimates and was also awkward for Robinson because he hadn’t even told his staff.
Praise for Outgoing Director
While there was little love on show for Stevens at estimates, ABC journalists were effusive in their praise for him, making the 42-year-old one of the more popular news chiefs in recent years. In 2024 Stevens revealed that his son Harry was diagnosed with cancer when he was three. “He relapsed in 2021 and completed his second two-year treatment late last year,” Stevens said at the Melbourne Press Club.
Leigh Sales, who worked closely with him at 7.30, said Stevens always had your back. “He has a huge brain but is also fun,” Sales said on Instagram. “He’s a person of impeccable integrity. He has been a public servant in the true sense of the word and he will be much missed. Great bloke, tremendous father, excellent journalist.” The 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson said Stevens was brilliant in all his roles and showed “immense kindness and loyalty behind the scenes”. Annabel Crabb and former ABC news directors Gaven Morris and Kate Torney leapt on his farewell LinkedIn post to congratulate him. Former ABC staffers Michael Rowland, Eliza Harvey, Sue Lannin, Angela Stengel and others chimed in with good wishes. Stan Grant, who left the ABC in 2023, said Stevens was “a man of decency and kindness” who “never lost who you are and leave with your integrity and humanity intact”. Stevens is on the record saying he regrets not defending the former ABC presenter from racist attacks earlier.
Mystery Program on the Chopping Block
Two months into his second year in the ABC’s top job, Marks, the former managing director of Nine Entertainment, is ready to make big changes at the public broadcaster, as he signalled recently on Alan Kohler’s That’s Business podcast. “I’ll give you an example: a legacy television show that has been around for 40 years,” he told the ABC business editor about his plans to axe some longstanding programs. Since Sarah Ferguson’s 7.30 is 40 years old this year, speculation has been feverish that the daily current affairs show is facing the axe. The Weekly Beast is pleased to report the speculation is misplaced. Marks told the Weekly Beast on Friday: “The only plans for 7.30 are for further investment.” But the ABC is certainly facing a period of upheaval, and with a new news chief with no history at the ABC, change will be easier to implement. Stevens, on the other hand, was a manager with a reputation for supporting investigative and current affairs journalism and was resistant to any major changes. Confirming Robinson as news director late on Thursday, Marks highlighted the Reuters executive’s experience in “large‑scale newsroom transformation”. Watch this space.
Trap for Young Players
Robinson had not even been confirmed as the new hire when he came under fire at Senate estimates for a social media post from two years ago. Senator Henderson, who only minutes earlier had found out the name of the Reuters news executive, had uncovered a post about Israel she didn’t approve of. “Have you got any concerns about any of his activities on social media? He’s been quite prolific, I think, on social media,” Henderson asked. Her concern was Robinson’s sharing of a lengthy essay titled The Shoah after Gaza published in the London Review of Books. Robinson said he was “thrilled and honoured” about the gig, but does he know about the monitoring of social media by Sky News Australia and Senate estimates yet?
AFR Backs Billionaires
The Australian Financial Review has finally told us what they really think with the headline: “Billionaire barons have every right to use their money to influence us”. The editorial was sparked by news that Gina Rinehart, Australia’s richest person, had bankrolled the acquisition of an almost 10% stake in Southern Cross Media, which owns the Seven Network, the Triple M and Hit radio brands and the West Australian newspaper. With Australia’s media market already dominated by two billionaires, Rupert Murdoch and Kerry Stokes, Rinehart’s foray into media ownership raised alarms bells for many. But not for those free marketeers at the AFR. “It’s to be expected that the interests of powerful people who invest in a media company go beyond just the financial bottom line”, the Fin said. “Expecting a major shareholder with Rinehart’s political convictions to remain entirely agnostic about the editorial direction of their investment is unrealistic. The presence of proprietors, whether directly or indirectly, will influence the cultural and political posture of their outlets.” If Rinehart “pushes a perspective that is out of touch with the majority” it’s OK because “the marketplace of ideas will eventually filter it out”. What a relief.
No Rest in Retirement
The former election analyst Antony Green is enjoying his retirement, cycling around the world and dabbling in election-related projects part-time. He retired last year after 36 years at the ABC. Now he has been awarded 2026 Inner West citizen of the year by Sydney’s Inner West council. “Inner Westies, like all Australians, have benefited from his lifetime contribution to educating Australian voters and building trust in our democratic processes,” the citation said. He’s as synonymous with elections as a democracy sausage, and we think this award is well deserved. “He was recognised for his lifetime contribution to civic education and unbiased election analysis.”
Lucky 13th
Guardian Australia celebrated its 13th birthday this week with close to 8 million Australians a month reading our site. Happy birthday!
