Kim Williams in conversation with former ABC presenter Maxine McKew after outlining his vision at the State Library of Victoria.Credit:Francine Schaepper
Williams called for greater government funding – or as he termed it,investment.
“We need to be tough-minded to achieve our goals and we need to measure performance reliably. Of course,achieving our goals will also take something else … Something you have probably guessed … investment.”
The speech offered Williams the opportunity to place his management and staff – some of them present in the room – on notice. The ABC can be guilty of self-congratulation misplacing robust self-assessment,resulting in underperformance,he said.
“No one enjoys being critical,but well-run organisations must be honest about their performance. And if we’re honest,there are important areas for improvement.”
Spruiking a united board,who were also in attendance amid two days of meetings in Melbourne,the former News Corp,Foxtel and Fox Studios chief said a renewed Radio National is vital as a standard-bearer for the ABC’s ethos and intellectual ambition.
Kim Williams (centre) with Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the announcement of his appointment in January.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
He also outlined an increase in “serious television documentaries”,expanded drama and comedy production,children’s and education programming and coverage of the arts,as well as remaining the most trusted source of news and truth for Australians.