Chaos erupts at ABC over Hamish Macdonald’s appointment as an internal letter leaks

A leaked letter has revealed ABC Radio staff are furious with management for leaving them in the dark after failing to renew the contracts of two much-loved presenters.

In a letter to the ABC board, staff in Sydney said they were “stunned and concerned” after Sarah Macdonald and Simon Marnie were given the boot.

Journalists said management did not discuss or provide any explanation as to why the couple was dropped from the morning shift, other than saying the show needed a “freshen-up.”

Macdonald has been on stress leave since announcing live on air that The ABC would not renew her contract after two years as morning shift host.

The national broadcaster has not yet announced Macdonald’s replacement, but it is likely to be former Q+A presenter Hamish Macdonald. The Guardian reported.

Hamish Macdonald is the co-host of ABC Radio National’s Global Roaming program and is a panelist on Channel Ten’s The Project.

“We have a unique relationship with our audiences who fund us to provide information, entertainment and companionship,” the letter said.

‘Sarah McDonald announced that “ABC Management would not renew her contract”. This is a PR disaster on many levels.

Much-loved ABC Radio Sydney presenter Sarah Macdonald has been suspended from the national broadcaster’s morning shows

“We are not responding to Sarah’s needs. We are responding to an outpouring of confusion and disbelief from the public, the likes of which we have never seen before.

‘We believe that recent actions have violated this relationship of trust. We believe this is a mistake and undermines what has been achieved here over a century of broadcasting.”

The letter acknowledged management’s responsibility to improve ratings, but claimed staff had reservations about the current commercial leadership style.

Without naming them, the letter refers to current leadership, including Capital Network and sports head Mike Fitzpatrick and audio director Ben Latimer.

“We note a significant shift towards senior management with a commercial media/radio background,” the letter said.

‘We have yet to see evidence of a real understanding and belief in the crucial role and responsibility of the public broadcaster in these senior roles.

‘None of them really understand public service broadcasting and they have made little effort to understand its nature [ABC] Local radio.’

Staff claimed they felt “unheard” and were “deeply disappointed” before requesting a meeting with ABC chairman Kim Williams or another board member to discuss the current situation.

Macdonald announced she was being fired from the morning show just weeks after beloved radio host Richard Glover, 66, announced his retirement live on air.

Glover retired after hosting the ABC program Drive Program for the past 26 years from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Sydney presenter Simon Marnie was axed from ABC Radio Sydney’s weekend show after a meeting with management.

Mr Marnie told listeners during his last show from Government House earlier this month that he had met with management who told him there was ‘no more room for him at the weekend’.

The ABC declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.