Former ABC News director Justin Stevens has received a $353,000 payout following his abrupt exit from the public broadcaster in May.
Stevens, who spent 19 years at the ABC, resigned and exited the broadcaster on the same day in May, with Simon Robinson revealed as his replacement.
The figure, which could include leave and other entitlements, was revealed in the ABC’s annual report released on Monday, in preparation for the Senate estimates committee on Tuesday.
Managing director Hugh Marks later told Radio National Breakfast that Stevens’ exit was “inevitable” after the pair had disagreed on the right direction for Australia’s largest newsroom.
Steven’s exit came after a period of significant turnover for their senior ranks since Marks’ arrival, with almost his entire management team replaced during this period.
Marks was paid a total package of $1,199,856 in the 2026 financial year, which includes a base salary of $1,134,639, while ABC chair Kim Williams was paid $226,000.
The annual report also hinted at the direction of future changes, including implementing more live, local and distinctive news services.
“The Corporation will offer audiences more relevant, local and in-depth reporting and investigations,” he said.
He also hopes to find new ways to cut the ABC’s high transmission costs, which could imply changes for a number of radio or TV stations like News Radio or the ABC News channel.
The ABC’s total radio network grew in the 2025-26 year, while their local radio network declined, audiences for News Radio and triple j have grown.
Their audiences for weeknight 7pm news bulletins have also increased by seven per cent to 899,000 on average nationally across both free-to-air broadcast and live streaming, with Foreign Correspondent as the top performer.
Image: ABC News
