Efficiency review author Peter Lewis tipped for the ABC board
The former chief financial officer of Seven West Media and Southern Cross Austereo Peter Lewis is a front runner to fill a current vacancy on the board of the ABC, Mumbrella understands.
At the beginning of this year Lewis conducted a major efficiency review of both the ABC and SBS, and is understood to be on a list of names given to the Minister for Communications to be put before cabinet to fill the current vacancy on the board.
The appointment is being keenly watched after the Coalition appointed culture warriors Janet Albretchsen and Neil Brown to the nomination panel for board members of the ABC and SBS. It is understood Lewis applied for a position, and has been interviewed by the nominations panel.
Mumbrella revealed Albretchsen was under consideration for the role in July, a move which saw the announcement of the controversial appointment moved up. Despite her status as a former ABC board member Albretchsen’s appointment has been a lightning rod for criticism for defenders of the ABC given her ongoing criticisms of the public broadcaster and its managing director Mark Scott.
The Australian Financial Review’s Rear Window column this morning revealed a list of three names had gone before Malcolm Turnbull, but added the Prime Minister’s office, which was instrumental in the appointment of Albretchsen and Brown, would take a keen interest in the appointment.
A spokesman for the Minister for Communications declined to comment on the appointment but it is understood the process still has some way to run before a final decision is made.
Lewis recently quit Southern Cross Austreo after only a month in the role following a dispute over writing down the value of the company.
When contacted by Mumbrella he declined to comment but it is understood he did apply for the role and has been interviewed by the nomination panel.
Nic Christensen
Farewell, fair and unbiased ABC.
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