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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Harley Dennett

Fletcher fills three empty positions on the ABC board

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher has named three new ABC board appointees. Picture: Shutterstock

A former Channel 7 managing director, former Foxtel boss, and former Qantas executive will be joining the ABC board as directors.

The new appointees are Mario D'Orazio, Peter Tonagh and Fiona Balfour who join the ABC board as non-executive directors with five-year appointments beginning immediately.

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher named the three replacement directors following vacancies since November last year and complaints from ABC chair Ita Buttrose the board's ability to function was threatened by the empty positions.

The new appointees join directors Peter Lewis, Georgie Somerset, Joseph Gersh, and staff-elected director Jane Connors.

They replace Kirstin Ferguson and Donny Walford, whose terms ended last year, and Vanessa Guthrie who resigned in the middle of her term this year.

The board meets six times a year, with non-executive directors collecting $58,670 a year following a merit-based process for selection implemented by Labor in 2013 that requires both relevant experience and geographic representation across the states and territories.

The current panel who selects the candidates for the government's approval include Sally Pitkin, former senior public servant Helen Williams, and journalist Mark Kenny.

Mr Fletcher congratulated the three new directors, and noted each had extensive experience in Australian media or communications technology sectors.

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