The ABC has named Reuters executive Simon Robinson as its new Director of News and Current Affairs, following the sudden departure of Justin Stevens after four years in the role.
ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks said on Thursday that Robinson, currently Reuters’ Executive Editor and based in London, will begin in September. Robinson started his career in Australia and now oversees a global newsroom of about 2,600 journalists across 150 countries.
Marks said Robinson was “one of the most experienced newsroom leaders in global journalism”.
“His track record leading large, complex news operations and his deep commitment to fact‑based reporting make him an outstanding choice to lead the ABC’s News division,” he said.
The announcement came as Marks faced Senate Estimates, where he was questioned over Stevens’ exit. Stevens stepped down on Wednesday, saying it was the “right time” to move on. Marks rejected suggestions he had been pushed, telling the hearing, “it’s an opportunity for us to move forward and look to a refreshed and rejuvenated output”.
The hearing also turned to the ABC’s refusal to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism. Editorial director Gavin Fang said the broadcaster would stick with its own framework, arguing the IHRA wording was “contentious in different parts of the community”.
He said the ABC’s definition makes clear that “legitimate criticism of the state of Israel or the actions of some Israelis becomes anti-Semitism when the target shifts from Israel to Jews.”
Senator Sarah Henderson accused the ABC of appeasing “anti-Israel, Jewish hating activists”, but Fang maintained the broadcaster’s approach was appropriate. Marks also rejected Henderson’s broader claim that the ABC had “systemic bias”, saying, “We don’t accept the notion that there is systemic bias within the ABC.”
Henderson also challenged the ABC over Sarah Ferguson’s involvement with the documentary Sentient, arguing it represented a conflict of interest because the project was partly funded by an animal welfare group. Marks and Fang said Ferguson had only been involved at the ideas stage and had disclosed that she would be credited when appropriate.
The hearing further revealed that Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal had been dismissed after an investigation into his appearance on an external podcast with a former underworld figure.
“He was terminated,” Marks confirmed.
Fazal has denied separate claims that he passed messages from the Alameddine crime family to YouTuber FriendlyJordies, and the hearing was told those allegations were not part of the ABC’s investigation. Fang said the matter had been referred to police at the time.
The tense session underscored the pressure facing the national broadcaster just as Robinson prepares to take charge of its news division.
