Ita Buttrose, former chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), expressed her views on immigration during an online interview while promoting her memoir, Unapologetically Ita. She stated that Australia is becoming increasingly divided and suggested that the multicultural society, which has long been celebrated, is not functioning as effectively as it should. “I think we’re more divided,” the media icon remarked during a discussion with Professor Henry Brodaty from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing.
Buttrose emphasized that while diverse perspectives are essential, newcomers to Australia should adapt to local customs. “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,” she said. The 83-year-old added that she takes pride in having kept her political views private throughout her career.
In related news, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a much-anticipated return to the ABC program Hard Chat, nearly a decade after his first appearance alongside comedian Tom Gleeson. The original interview took place in 2015 when Albanese was a shadow minister. Recently, he fulfilled a promise to return, recording a new segment with Gleeson. “If Tom can bring a crew to Canberra, we can try to organise one special edition of Hard Chat,” Albanese noted, referencing his earlier conversation with Gleeson.
Gleeson, who had retired the segment five years ago, remarked that the opportunity to interview a sitting prime minister was too significant to pass up. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the interview has been recorded, with images shared, including one featuring the Prime Minister’s dog, Toto, on his lap.
ABC’s Upcoming Shows and Changes
Looking ahead, the ABC has announced an exciting lineup for 2026, including a drama focused on the controversial robodebt scheme and a miniseries about Indigenous tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley. Hugh Marks, now eight months into his role as managing director, described the 60 new prime-time shows as a significant increase from 43 in 2025.
Director of the ABC’s screen division, Jennifer Collins, highlighted the audience’s appetite for Australian stories, emphasizing the importance of showcasing local talent. “When we launch these shows, there’s a real appreciation that they’re seeing Australian stories on the screen,” Collins stated. Notably, the drama titled Shakedown will address the robodebt issue, which Collins referred to as “one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in Australian history.”
Other notable projects include a documentary on the Tampa crisis, a series exploring landmark legal cases in Australia, and a program focused on modern masculinity.
Addressing Recent Controversies
In the wake of criticism from various media outlets, Marks defended the ABC at the National Press Club, asserting that the organization is a “precious national asset.” Despite traditionalists’ concerns, the ABC plans to enhance its short-form video content for social media, recognizing the growing significance of these platforms in news dissemination. Justin Stevens, director of ABC News, indicated that the new initiative, ABC News Loop, aims to provide fact-based news explainers amid the sea of misinformation prevalent on social media.
The ABC remains under scrutiny as it investigates former reporter Mahmood Fazal for his involvement in a podcast linked to gambling. The organization is reviewing the circumstances surrounding Fazal’s participation, which did not receive final approval under ABC guidelines.
Meanwhile, Sam Groth, the former Australian tennis player and current Deputy Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, has reached an out-of-court settlement with the Herald Sun. The newspaper published an apology for articles that suggested inappropriate conduct regarding Groth’s relationship. The Herald Sun acknowledged the distress caused to Groth and his family and removed the contentious articles from its platforms.
As the ABC navigates these challenges and changes, it remains committed to delivering quality content that resonates with Australian audiences while addressing the complex issues of the day.
