The ABC is walking away from three prominent diversity and inclusion groups after long-running external pressure over whether the relationships compromise the national broadcaster’s independence.
In an internal newsletter circulated to staff and seen by Guardian Australia on Tuesday, the ABC announced plans to end its controversial memberships with Acon Health’s Pride in Diversity program, the Australian Disability Network, and the Diversity Council of Australia.
The decision marks a reset under managing director, Hugh Marks, who took over in March 2025, and follows years of internal friction and grilling in senate estimates about paying membership fees to lobby groups, including Acon, which then ranked and awarded the ABC based on its inclusion and diversity scores.
