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Staff Meeting Voices Concern |
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Tuesday, 28 March 2006 |
 A meeting of ABC staff in Melbourne was held on Monday afternoon at 3pm to discuss the proposed abolition of the staff-elected Director for the ABC. The staff meeting, called at short notice, was attended by around 80 staff, with many voicing their concerns over the move to abolish the staff-elected Board position. A number of staff expressed disappointment in the decision before the following motion was moved unanimously by the meeting.
Resolution
This meeting of ABC staff condemns the decision to deny us input into board selection by the abolition of the staff-elected director.
We note that for nearly a quarter of a century the staff-elected director has given the ABC Board a unique perspective. For much of that period, the staff-elected director has been the only person on the board, other than the MD, with broadcasting experience.
We further note that this decision was made without consultation, without any election mandate and without any support from the recent Senate inquiry into ABC board appointments. The decision was also taken after the commencement of the nomination and election process for the staff-elected representative for the next 2 years.
We call on the ABC board to support our calls for the maintenance of the staff-elected director.
Carried Unanimously
This is the first staff meeting in the country to formally discuss the move by the federal Government to abolish this important, democratically-elected position. Meetings will be held around the country over the next few days with a rally by staff and Friends of the ABC to be held on Thursday 30th in Sydney to coincide with the ABC board meeting. The Australian Electoral Commission is currently conducting the elections of the 2006 Staff elected position whilst the Deputy position had been declared when the Government made its announcement. |
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