Independent review praises ABC complaints unit but recommends new ombudsman role to handle appeals

Ita Buttrose (pictured in 2021) says the relationship between the government and the ABC board is a ‘work in progress’ after a review into complaints handling which recommended the appointment of an ombudsman. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

The ABC’s internal complaints unit is an “efficient” system which could nevertheless benefit from the addition of an ABC ombudsman to review the findings, an independent review has found.

The new ABC ombudsman would head an expanded editorial complaints unit, have the power to review a complaint finding and would report to the board.