Just before Xmas the Deputy Chair of the ABC, Peter Tonagh resigned with 18 months remaining of his appointment. Tonagh led the 2018 efficiency review of the ABC which recommended the back offices of ABC and SBS be merged, and found that the ABC needed more appropriate funding. Neither happened.

Read the SMH coverage of Tonagh's resignation

Tonagh’s resignation follows that of David Anderson, Managing Director, last year (to take effect this year) and Tonagh’s resignation followed closely on the heels of the appointment of Anderson’s replacement, Hugh Marks. Marks was former CEO of Nine Entertainment, and is one of the few people in Australia with experience of running a major multi-layered media organisation. His appointment, commencing in a few months, is controversial, as usual with the ABC.

Read the SMH coverage of Marks' appointment

There has been speculation that Tonagh’s resignation was catalysed by the appointment of Marks, but the Chair of the ABC, Kim Williams, said the Marks appointment was a unanimous decision of the ABC Board. We can expect a new Deputy Chair to be elected/appointed soon and the government will seek to appoint a new ABC Board member soon.

We can certainly expect significant changes at the ABC during 2025 – new CEOs are always change agents – and the relationship between Chair Williams and MD Marks will be a major determinant of the future of the ABC. As will be the result of the coming federal election. Exciting times, and a space well worth watching.