Fired ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie Paid $730K To Drop Court Action

The ABC paid former managing director Michelle Guthrie $730,000 to drop court action over her dismissal late last year. This figure is in addition to a $911,000 payment received when she has fired midway through her contract, bringing her total payment over the brouhaha to $1.64 million.

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Prior to this payout, Guthrie intended to bring action in the Federal Court on the grounds that her dismissal was inappropriate and an act of retaliation over her complaints against former chat of the board Justin Milne.

The details of the payout were revealed in a Senate committee hearing today, after the ABC earlier said “no further public statement” would be made and that the matter would remain strictly confidential. Several voices within the government, including Communications Minister Mitch Fifield, indicated they thought the ABC should be transparent about the use of taxpayer funds.

Acting ABC managing director David Anderson told the committee that “the parties did start a long way apart” on the payment.

As you know, the adverse action claim was against reinstatement or, I believe, payment of the remaining term of Ms Guthrie, with two-and-a-half years left to run on her contract.

There was toing and froing to arrive at the number I’m about to give you.

The gross amount of that settlement claim is $730,000.

Anderson confirmed that the money will be paid by Comcover, which is the government’s self-managed insurance fund.

Justin Milne, who resigned amid allegations that he bowed to pressure from the government, will be replaced by Ita Buttrose.

A replacement for Guthrie as managing director has yet to be announced.

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