While Ita Buttrose stepped down as ABC chair in March 2024, she’s continued to be a bit of a thorn in Aunty’s side.
Just a couple of weeks ago, her memoir Unapologetically Ita was released. And in the last day or so, a few remarks and reviews have been published from her book and supporting tour. And let’s face it, the timing is not ideal for our ABC.
Because this week, the national broadcaster pulled out all the stops to tell a new story with what can only be described as a brilliant outing in its publicity showcase.
But just as the PR team was sending out follow-up press releases, The Guardian’s Amanda Meade was highlighting Ita’s views on immigration.
Reporting from her recent book tour, the comments – “I think we’re more divided,” the former ABC chair said during an online interview with Prof Henry Brodaty from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing.
“I don’t think the multicultural society that we’ve spoken about so proudly in Australia is working as well as it could be. And that’s because we’ve allowed divisive groups to come into Australia, but, and that’s fine.
I mean, we need all points of view, but this is Australia, so I think we have to be emphatic that you try and live our way, not the way you did when you were in the country that you left to become an Australian, because most people that do come here do end up taking out citizenship.”
Oh Ita.
Tom Gleeson at ABC’s Upfronts
The memoir that rewrites history
And today, Dennis Muller of The Conversation published a review of the book with the headline, “Airbrushing and exhortations: Ita Buttrose reflects on her life in media – well, some of it.”
Some of the bits Ita omitted from her book surround the saga of the sacking of Antoinette Lattouf in 2023. Not an inconsequential moment in her career, but one she clearly would rather forget.
Muller highlights emails from Buttrose to ABC managing director David Anderson, where she clearly pressured ABC management to get Lattouf off air. Muller notes that “Buttrose has airbrushed this out of her history.”
Old ghosts at the showcase
It’s been a bumpy year, and by now you’d think the ABC surely just wants to move on.
But as the showcase unfolded, a few old issues surfaced. It’s a reminder that you can’t simply or easily brush the messy bits away.
Now, it’s undeniable… the national broadcaster rolled out an impressive lineup for 2026 in an energetic presentation from its studios in Ultimo.
Tom Gleeson was in spectacular form, taking comedic cracks at everyone in sight, including current chair Kim Williams.
Shaun Micallef also veered wildly off script and kept the crowd on edge with his jibes about Rolf Harris and a documentary he didn’t want to be part of.
There was genuine energy around the return of Race Around the World – particularly with John Safran, decked out in a white safari suit, spruiking the project.
Even a Muster Dogs puppy performed masterfully in the arms of host Lisa Millar.
The showcase delivered schmick production values, and the shiny new ABC promise exuded from every pixel of the giant LED video wall in a way many commented they hadn’t felt before.
So why on earth would the team put forth a couple of tarnished execs to close the show?
Director of Audio Ben Latimer, Director of News, Analysis and Investigations Justin Stevens, and Screen Director Jennifer Collins stepped onto the shiny stage to deliver final teleprompter spiels about their respective divisions.
But Latimer took a battering giving evidence in the Lattouf case. Stevens copped more than a few dents from multiple rounds in Senate Estimates. And Jen Collins, who is going well, would have been better off flanked by anyone but those two.
As the showcase came to an end, one last impressive hype reel could have sealed the deal – and maybe even helped us dismiss old Ita’s selective memory.
Next time, let’s leave the damaged goods out of the show.
We all want our ABC to shine.