The agreement was the result of months of tense negotiations between ABC staff and management over issues such as pay and job progression for young journalists. ABC executives warned during negotiations that any large increase in wages could cost positions.

It is the second time since 2020 that the taxpayer-funded broadcaster has planned to cut jobs. In 2020, the ABC cut 229 roles across its divisions as part of its strategic five-year plan. Anderson attributed the cuts to a three-year funding freeze that took effect in July 2019, and the cumulative effect of previous budget cuts. That is not the case this time.

The national broadcaster received an $83.7 million increase in operational funding and a $32 million boost for international services as part of the federal government’s budget announcement last year, and the government has also moved it from a three-year funding model to a five-year period.

Anderson said last year the extra money would be used to improve investment in local programming and emergency broadcast services. But when negotiations with the broadcaster’s two media unions became heated, sources close to management said any increase in wages would affect this investment and could lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs.

When newly appointed ABC director Laura Tingle nominated herself for the board earlier this year, she also suggested there could be job cuts as part of the restructure.

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“Reading the ABC’s five-year plan, and the restructuring proposal released late last year, it is hard not to be struck by how incomprehensible they are,” Tingle said to staff. “By comparison, the BBC’s similar plan says quite clearly that going digital first will involve closing down television and radio stations. Has anyone been that clear at the ABC? I think not.”

The ABC’s 2022 annual report said it had 3825 employees at the end of fiscal year 2022.

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