ABC head David Anderson forced to apologise after internal review finds staff subject to widespread racism

October 1

Culturally diverse staff at the ABC have been subject to racial slurs, offensive comments about their appearance, excluded from social events and overlooked for work opportunities because of their background, a damning internal review has found.

The review — led by Indigenous lawyer Terri Janke — started in May 2023 after calls by Indigenous staff for an independent and external process to respond to allegations and public discussion about racist behaviour at the media organisation.

Ms Janke found Indigenous and culturally diverse employees had been subject to overt and covert racism both from people within the broadcaster and those outside it.

This included racial slurs, derogatory and offensive comments about their appearance or cultural practices and being excluded from social events and workplace opportunities.

It also found staff were missing out on mentoring, people assuming they had only been hired to meet diversity criteria and not valuing their skills, and being mistaken for someone more junior based on their racial appearance.

In interviews with 120 current and former staff, only one told Dr Janke’s team they had not personally experienced racism.

“This response overwhelmingly indicates that racism exists within the ABC workplace, and that ABC staff are subjected to racism from external individuals and organisations in connection with their work,” the review states.

“To break this cycle, the ABC leadership must commit to long-term systemic change.”

It found there was a lack of trust in complaints systems and that Indigenous and culturally diverse staff were stymied professionally.

Staff also experienced external attacks, particularly on online platforms, and many were left feeling “abandoned and vulnerable” by the lack of consistent support from the organisation.

ABC managing director David Anderson apologised to staff on Tuesday, saying the testimonies from current and former employees given to the review were disturbing and unacceptable.

“On behalf of everyone at the ABC, I am sorry for any and all racist behaviour and past harms experienced by our Indigenous and CALD employees, either currently or formerly employed,” he said.

“As an organisation and as an industry we must learn from the experiences in the report and commit to work together to do better and rebuild the trust that has been eroded by the actions of some people.

“For anyone who thinks it is ok to display or practise racist behaviour, or who thinks they can make people feel belittled based on their identity, we will call you out and remove you from this organisation. You are not welcome here. We are a workplace that values respect, and we expect it.”

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