On 16 October 2018, the Senate referred the following matter to the Environment and Communications References Committee (committee) for inquiry and report by 29 March 2019:

The allegations of political interference in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), with particular reference to:

(a) the termination of ABC Managing Director, Ms Michelle Guthrie;

(b) the conduct of the Chair and the Board;

(c) the structure, composition and appointments of the ABC Board;

(d) the political influence or attempted influence of the Government over ABC editorial decision-making, including:

(i) outcomes of the Competitive Neutrality of the National Broadcaster Inquiry and Efficiency Review—ABC and SBS, and

(ii) the role of funding uncertainty in facilitating political influence;

(e) governance, legislative and funding options to strengthen the editorial independence and strength of the ABC to prosecute its charter obligations; and

(f) other related matters

This report comprises the following four chapters:

• Chapter 1—outlines the conduct and background of the inquiry;
• Chapter 2—examines governance arrangements for the ABC;
• Chapter 3—discusses the events of 2018 leading to termination of the managing director's employment and resignation of the Chair; and
• Chapter 4—enquires into allegations of political influence in the ABC.