Latest news with #KimWilliams
The Age
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Frequent flyer Kim Williams racks up $50,000 travel budget
ABC chair Kim Williams has been busy. Very busy. Since ascending to the job last year, Williams has become the kind of bloke who'd talk to a brick wall, and his very serious thoughts have graced numerous writers' festivals, annual orations, Friends of the ABC wine and cheese nights, and speeches at the National Press Club, the Melbourne Press Club, the State Library of Victoria, the General Sir John Monash Oration, the Lowy Institute Media Lecture, the DG8 Summit, and the pages of many a newspaper article. On top of that, he's had to whip the public broadcaster into shape and press the flesh at its bureaux around the country. All that moving and shaking comes with a hefty travel bill. According to documents released under freedom of information, taxpayers stumped up $55,087 for Williams' travel expenses between last March, when he started the job, and May. The bulk of that, $48,338.50, came from airfares, while $6749 was spent on car travel. Loading 'The ABC chair receives remuneration and expenses for their service on the ABC board, including allowances for travel,' a spokesperson for Aunty told us. 'Rates are set by the Remuneration Tribunal and are reviewed each year.' Williams takes home a salary of a little over $200,000 – a rather modest return for a senior public servant. And his expenses, as far as we are aware, don't include thousands spent on luxury car hire like his predecessor Ita Buttrose, who billed the public, including for trips to Beppi's in Darlinghurst. Perhaps that might make a line in Buttrose's new memoir, set to drop in October, which we are awaiting with bated breath.
Sydney Morning Herald
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Frequent flyer Kim Williams racks up $50,000 travel budget
ABC chair Kim Williams has been busy. Very busy. Since ascending to the job last year, Williams has become the kind of bloke who'd talk to a brick wall, and his very serious thoughts have graced numerous writers' festivals, annual orations, Friends of the ABC wine and cheese nights, and speeches at the National Press Club, the Melbourne Press Club, the State Library of Victoria, the General Sir John Monash Oration, the Lowy Institute Media Lecture, the DG8 Summit, and the pages of many a newspaper article. On top of that, he's had to whip the public broadcaster into shape and press the flesh at its bureaux around the country. All that moving and shaking comes with a hefty travel bill. According to documents released under freedom of information, taxpayers stumped up $55,087 for Williams' travel expenses between last March, when he started the job, and May. The bulk of that, $48,338.50, came from airfares, while $6749 was spent on car travel. Loading 'The ABC chair receives remuneration and expenses for their service on the ABC board, including allowances for travel,' a spokesperson for Aunty told us. 'Rates are set by the Remuneration Tribunal and are reviewed each year.' Williams takes home a salary of a little over $200,000 – a rather modest return for a senior public servant. And his expenses, as far as we are aware, don't include thousands spent on luxury car hire like his predecessor Ita Buttrose, who billed the public, including for trips to Beppi's in Darlinghurst. Perhaps that might make a line in Buttrose's new memoir, set to drop in October, which we are awaiting with bated breath.
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Comedian Austen Tayshus sets the record straight on his relationship with Kim Williams after he name-dropped the ABC boss in fiery text to journalist
Kim Williams is once again under fire for his relationship with Sandy Gutman after the comedian name-dropped the ABC boss as he told a former radio host to 'shut up'. Gutman, who uses the stage name Austen Tayshus, recently took exception to a column by podcaster and former ABC radio host Josh Szeps about the war in Gaza. Mr Szeps, who is Jewish, had questioned the actions of the Israeli government and concluded it was 'time for Jews to abandon Israel'. The piece led Gutman, who is also Jewish, to send a series of texts to Mr Szeps, which were later shared with 2GB radio on Friday. 'I know you need attention and you made several reasonable points, but what does it achieve to slam Israel right now?' the 71-year-old wrote in one message. '...the thing is you need to shut up instead of sharing your profound, mostly rehashed views because in reality you are empowering murderers and arsonists to attack us.' Gutman signed off the text as 'Austen Tayshus. Difficult conversationalist and mate of Kim Williams'. Mr Szeps replied to the message, saying, 'Hello mate. I'm a fan. Saw you when I was a kid... I suspect you're not proud of telling me to shut up and I don't think you'll end up particularly proud of that message. So I won't take the bait. Peace.' Gutman responded, telling Szeps, 'You can sleep well. Just shut up, keep these opinions to yourself at this dangerous moment'. Mr Williams was quick to distance himself from Gutman after the texts came to light. 'Sandy Gutman is not and never has been a friend of mine. I find the comment disgraceful' he said in a statement. And it's not the first time Mr Williams' relationship with the comedian has come under scrutiny. In April, Media Watch took aim at the ABC chairman for allegedly pressuring local radio stations to promote Gutman's comedy shows. Host Linton Besser claimed Gutman had phoned Mr Williams in August last year to complain about being repeatedly denied interviews with regional ABC radio stations. Mr Williams reportedly interceded on Mr Gutman's behalf, and he was interviewed multiple times. In one email, Mr Williams said of Mr Gutman: 'I am of course essentially on his side. Our people are often arrogant with talent'. Mr Gutman was also accused of attempting to leverage his relationship with Mr Williams several times during his press tour, writing in an email to a regional ABC office: 'No response. I will speak to Kim Williams today'. The comedian told Daily Mail Australia on Friday he had name-dropped Mr Williams at the end of his message to Mr Szeps as a joke. 'I was joking, I was being ironic. That was just a reference to the Media Watch thing, which was completely blown out of proportion,' he said. Asked about his relationship with Mr Williams, the comedian said: 'I'm not mates with him, I don't hang out with him'. Though the pair were 'from the same era' and might have met when the entertainer was 'really flying high in the 80s,' he had no memory of it. He regretted the negative attention Mr Williams had received over their acquaintance. 'Kim is just helping getting entertainment in regional New South Wales, what is terrible about that?' he said. He also defended his critique of Mr Szeps' column. 'My point is nobody really knows what's going on in Gaza because all the information's coming from Hamas, and Hamas is a registered terrorist organisation around the world. 'I don't think it's in his interest to criticise Israel based on the lack of information.'
ABC News
23-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
ABC announces the TOP 5 recipients for 2025
The ABC has revealed this year's inspiring researchers to take part in the ABC TOP 5 media residencies. The five successful applicants from each of the three fields – Science, Humanities & the Arts, will be in residence at the ABC offices for two-weeks of media training and practical experience. They will be working alongside some of Australia's best journalists and broadcasters, to get a better understanding of how best to communicate their vital research with the world. 'Academia and news reporting are facing extraordinary challenges around the world', says ABC Chair Kim Williams. 'So, the ABC is proud to be partnering with four leading educational and cultural institutions, ensuring that important ideas and new research is discussed and disseminated to broader audiences - ensuring that the ABC delivers information that Australians can rely upon and trust'. Dina Rosendorff is the Manager of ABC Radio National. 'The TOP 5 is a unique Radio National program that teams up early career researchers with some of the ABC's best storytellers. It's a chance for audiences to hear bold new ideas from rising stars in Australian research - and for those researchers to sharpen their skills in bringing their work to life for the public.' THE 2025 ABC TOP 5 ARE: SCIENCE Dr Chantelle Blachut : Postdoctoral Fellow – UNSW, ADFA ACT. Uses mathematics to investigate unexpected behaviour in natural structures like bushfires on mountain-tops or blobs of cold air over Antarctica. : Postdoctoral Fellow – UNSW, ADFA ACT. Uses mathematics to investigate unexpected behaviour in natural structures like bushfires on mountain-tops or blobs of cold air over Antarctica. Dr Amal Osman : Postdoctoral Research Fellow, FHMRI Sleep Health - Flinders University. Specialised physiology techniques to develop new, tailored treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea. : Postdoctoral Research Fellow, FHMRI Sleep Health - Flinders University. Specialised physiology techniques to develop new, tailored treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea. Dr Howe Zhu : Lecturer in Interaction Design – USYD. Explores the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction and Cognitive Neuroscience, leveraging insights from cognitive computing and extended reality to design human-centred technologies that support perception, attention, and immersive interaction. : Lecturer in Interaction Design – USYD. Explores the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction and Cognitive Neuroscience, leveraging insights from cognitive computing and extended reality to design human-centred technologies that support perception, attention, and immersive interaction. Dr Chantelle Doyle : Research Associate – UNSW. Pairing new methods, like genomics, with classic techniques to assess plant sterility, survival and reproduction. : Research Associate – UNSW. Pairing new methods, like genomics, with classic techniques to assess plant sterility, survival and reproduction. Dr Patrick Finnerty: Postdoctoral Research Fellow – USYD. Conservation ecologist helping to bring wildlife back to improve ecosystems through rewilding and species reintroductions. HUMANITIES Dr Shauna Bostock: Indigenous Research Editor, Australian Dictionary of Biography – ANU. Multi-generational narrative history of the lived experience of Aboriginal people from colonisation to the present. Indigenous Research Editor, Australian Dictionary of Biography – ANU. Multi-generational narrative history of the lived experience of Aboriginal people from colonisation to the present. Dr Intifar Chowdhury: Lecturer in Government – Flinders University. A researcher passionate about better the political representation of all young Australians in our democracy. Lecturer in Government – Flinders University. A researcher passionate about better the political representation of all young Australians in our democracy. Dr Declan Humphreys: Lecturer, Cyber Security & Ethics – University of the Sunshine Coast. A philosopher exploring the ethics of emerging technologies such as AI. Lecturer, Cyber Security & Ethics – University of the Sunshine Coast. A philosopher exploring the ethics of emerging technologies such as AI. Dr Tatiana Bur: Lecturer & Cultural Historian – ANU. Focus is Ancient Greece with particular interests in Greek and Roman technology, especially mechanics. Lecturer & Cultural Historian – ANU. Focus is Ancient Greece with particular interests in Greek and Roman technology, especially mechanics. Dr Jac den Houling: Senior Research Fellow Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre - La Trobe University. Creating real-world change that benefits autistic people, in the areas that matter most to the autistic community. ARTS Lolita Emmanuel: Pianist/Doctor of Musical Arts candidate, Conservatorium of Music, USYD. Practice-based research with musicians in global Assyrian community, exploring how we use creative strategies to continue culture amid displacement. Pianist/Doctor of Musical Arts candidate, Conservatorium of Music, USYD. Practice-based research with musicians in global Assyrian community, exploring how we use creative strategies to continue culture amid displacement. Dr Sarah Rhodes: Sessional lecturer, School of Creative Arts - University of Tasmania. Uses photography and video to explore how the natural environment can guide an understanding of one's inner world. Sessional lecturer, School of Creative Arts - University of Tasmania. Uses photography and video to explore how the natural environment can guide an understanding of one's inner world. Shirin Barghnavard : Documentary Filmmaker & PhD Candidate - Edith Cowan University. Investigates the politics of representation in the documentary films of Iranian women, both within Iran and across the diaspora. : Documentary Filmmaker & PhD Candidate - Edith Cowan University. Investigates the politics of representation in the documentary films of Iranian women, both within Iran and across the diaspora. Sabrina Mackenzie: PhD candidate in Music Psychology - University of Melbourne. How music can be tool for cultivating self-compassion and improving emotional well-being. PhD candidate in Music Psychology - University of Melbourne. How music can be tool for cultivating self-compassion and improving emotional well-being. Jordan Alice Fyfe: PhD Candidate, School of Media, Creative Arts & Social Inquiry - Curtin University Working alongside disabled artists in WA to understand current barriers and co-create recommendations for transforming the disability arts sector. The ABC TOP 5 is presented with the crucial support our project partners: Creative Australia, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney and Australian National University. Leisa Bacon is the Executive Director Development & Strategic Partnerships at Creative Australia, which supports Australian Arts and Culture, and the ABC TOP 5 Arts. 'We're thrilled to partner with the ABC to empower research and creative practitioners to increase their impact through media training and skills development. This residency program enables the participants to better communicate their ideas to broad and diverse audiences, setting them up for the future.' Also essential for the ABC TOP 5 Arts is the support of the University of Melbourne. Professor Marie Sierra is the Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music. 'It's great to see this year's TOP 5 cohort – congratulations to all who have been selected from amongst the most diverse and talented artist-researchers in Australia. Time and again, the Residency has proven to be a focussing lens on the communication skills needed to advance the value and impact of creative arts research. We all look forward to seeing what new audiences, discoveries and innovations your time in the program will bring.' Professor Julie Cairney is the Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research at the University of Sydney, which proudly supports the ABC TOP 5 Humanities. 'In an era of rapid change and increasing complexity, it's essential that research and public dialogue go hand in hand. The ABC TOP 5 program empowers early career researchers to step into the media space with confidence, clarity, and purpose. By equipping them to share their insights with broad audiences, we're not only strengthening public understanding, but also ensuring that evidence-based perspectives remain central to national conversations.' The ANU supports the ABC TOP 5 Science, and Professor Kiaran Kirk, is the Dean of the ANU College of Science. 'This program is a fantastic way to celebrate some of our country's best early-career scientists, giving them a unique opportunity to hone their skills in explaining the importance of scientific research in addressing some of our biggest global challenges. Congratulations to this year's cohort.' For more information about the ABC TOP 5 head to: For media inquiries: Jonathan Webb: ABC TOP 5 Science Manager & Editor Science Simon Nicholas: Project Coordinator
AU Financial Review
13-06-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Why the end of ABC Q+A was inevitable
For some time, the ABC has been on a quest for relevance. ABC management has been trying to grasp smoke with their bare hands – and inevitably, they've failed. Kim Williams, the ABC chairman, admitted as much when he spoke to the National Press Club last year. That was when he was asked whether the ABC could learn from the success of American podcaster Joe Rogan, Williams answered, 'I'm not sure that I'm the right person to respond to that question. I am not a consumer or an enthusiast about Mr Rogan and his work.'
