Outgoing ABC CEO David Anderson will remain one of the highest-earning people in the country for the rest of his life despite leaving his $1.15 million job — all thanks to you.
Mr Anderson, 54, resigned just 14 months into his second five-year term at the public broadcaster but confirmed he would remain in his role until the new year.
According to the ABC’s annual report for the 2022-23 financial year, the public broadcaster’s chief executive received a total pay package of $1,156,969, increasing year-on-year by $120,000.
Under the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme, Mr Anderson, who joined the ABC in Adelaide in 1989 and enjoyed a 35-year career with the ABC, is entitled to a CPI-indexed annual pension of at least 37 per cent of his final salary.
That would bring the outgoing ABC chief’s total taxpayer-funded annual pension to nearly $430,000, more than four and a half times the country’s median income.
However, ABC sources have suggested that Anderson may have negotiated an even higher pension package.
Meanwhile, Foxtel and Nine executive Amanda Laing is already being tipped as the hot favourite to succeed Anderson when her term ends next year.
Mr. Anderson was appointed to a second term in office in 2023, but will step down once a replacement is found.
ABC chief executive David Anderson has announced he is stepping down from his top job.
Foxtel and Nine executive Amanda Laing has been tipped as the favourite for the ABC job.
In a note to all ABC staff on Thursday, he said he hoped to remain in the role until at least early 2025.
Mr Anderson said he was grateful to new chair Kim Williams and the board for their support and efforts to persuade him to remain in office for a second full term.
“His unabashed enthusiasm for the importance and future of the corporation makes this decision easier,” he said.
“I’m confident that this is the right time for both me and ABC.”
Mr Williams, a former chief executive of News Limited who replaced Ita Buttrose as chairman in March, said the delayed resignation would ensure a smooth transition and praised Anderson.
“I have to say that my admiration for him and his commitment to ABC has not diminished and my respect for him only grows,” he said.
“He is an exemplary executive in many ways.”
Mr Anderson informed ABC staff of his decision on Thursday. Pictured are News Breakfast presenters Michael Rowland and Lisa Millar.
The recruitment process will begin in due course, ABC said.
In January, unionized ABC employees passed a vote of no confidence in Anderson for “failing to defend the integrity of the ABC and its staff from outside attacks.”
ABC’s board of directors rejected the union’s claim and unanimously approved a vote of confidence in Mr. Anderson.