ABC chair Ita Buttrose has accused Coalition of political interference and intimidation after the Senate established an inquiry into the ABC’s complaints handling process.
In a statement, Ms Buttrose has called on the upper house to defend the independence of the ABC by suspending the inquiry until an independent process by the board has been completed.
Buttrose further alleged the inquiry was an act of political interference designed to intimidate the ABC, with Ms Buttrose alleging that the inquiry set up by LNP Senator Andrew Bragg on Thursday appearing to be a blatant attempt to usurp the role of the ABC board and undermine the operational independence of the ABC.