SYDNEY — Hugh Marks, managing director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, has appointed Simon Robinson as the new news director, replacing Justin Stevens who resigned last month. Marks also defended the organization's hiring of Grace Tame following criticisms of her public comments.
Marks engaged a recruitment company to find a replacement for Stevens. Robinson, who previously served as a news executive at an international news agency, was selected for the role. Stevens was not informed about the international recruitment search before it commenced.
Marks stated that all leadership roles at the organization are currently under review. He said that the organization faces operational problems, and resources are too stretched across live news coverage. "It is not unusual to undertake extensive succession planning for all of our key executive roles, all the time." Marks said. He indicated that some legacy programming or services might be discontinued and had previously discussed these plans in an interview. He confirmed that the 40-year-old program 7.30 would not be canceled.
The organization hired former Australian of the Year Grace Tame to host a podcast focused on autism. Marks indicated that Tame was hired before she made public comments regarding Israel and Gaza. During a radio interview, Tame described reports of Hamas raping Israeli women on October 7, 2023, as propaganda and stated they were debunked.
Melbourne radio host Charlie Pickering characterized Tame's hiring as problematic during a conversation with live streamer Avi Yemini. "I do actually think it’s problematic, that’s my personal opinion. I think, as a Jewish Australian, there’s a complete misunderstanding of a lot of the words that are said and what the true meanings of them are." Pickering said. He later apologized for these comments and for speaking with Yemini, stating he was approached without prior arrangement by a known provocateur. Marks determined that Pickering's public comments did not violate the organization's editorial code.
Marks addressed the controversy surrounding Tame's comments. "Obviously, I understand why people feel Grace shouldn’t have a program at the national public broadcaster, given you know the controversy that’s reported and associated with many of her comments." Marks stated.