Updated
Scott Morrison says he will nominate Dr Kirstin
Ferguson to be the ABC's acting chairperson, after a week of
unprecedented chaos at the national broadcaster.
The Prime Minister made the announcement in Sydney, and confirmed he would take his pick to the Governor-General today.Mr Morrison said he wanted Dr Ferguson to be the ABC's deputy chairperson.
"Should the Governor-General accept that recommendation then she [Ferguson] will also be in the position of acting chair of the ABC until such time as a new chair appointment is made through the normal process," he said.
Dr Ferguson has sat on the ABC board since 2015, and is an experienced director.
Senior ABC staff have begun questioning the corporation's board after managing director Michelle Guthrie was sacked on Monday, and chairman Justin Milne resigned on Thursday.
Speaking on ABC Radio Melbourne, Mr Morrison turned up the heat on directors, saying they should resign if "they haven't done their jobs".
However, his rhetoric was more measured later, when he said: "I think it is important for the ABC to restore normal transmission as quickly as possible."
"There are vacancies and appointments to be made, but it is important that the ABC gets back to work," he said
Radio National presenter Patricia Karvelas said Dr Ferguson told her: "[It's] a massive responsibility but I just love the ABC so much, I am just honoured to take it on."
Mr Milne — a close friend of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull — resigned after a litany of reports accused him of interfering in the broadcaster's editorial independence.
Ms Guthrie's sacking — which she said left her "devastated" and considering her legal options — came as a surprise on Monday.
More to come.
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