ABC refuses to reveal how much its top stars make

The ABC has refused a government request to disclose the salaries of its 150 highest-paid staff earning more than $200,000.

Managing director Michelle Guthrie denied there was a gender pay gap at the public broadcaster at a Senate estimates committee hearing on Tuesday.

She said the highest-paid presenter was a woman who earned about one-eighth of the BBC’s top presenter, a male who took home $3.7 million.

ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie has refused a government request to disclose the salaries of its 150 highest-paid staff earning more than $200,000

That meant the ABC’s top presenter was paid about $460,000 – more than $150,000 higher than the top woman’s salary on a leaked list from 2011-12.

Ms Guthrie said the ABC lead the way in gender representation on its board and in the employment and salaries of its staff.

‘There is no pay gap unfavourable to women at any level in the ABC. We have parity across our executive and our senior on-air talent,’ she said.

Ms Guthrie did confirm she was the highest-paid employee with an annual pay packet of $900,000 a year including superannuation, set by the independent Remuneration Tribunal.

7.30 host Leigh Sales is a candidate to be the top paid presenter - a woman earning $460,000 - after she was revealed to make $280,400 five years ago

7.30 host Leigh Sales is a candidate to be the top paid presenter – a woman earning $460,000 – after she was revealed to make $280,400 five years ago

Leaked salary lists from 2011-12 showed Q&A presenter Tony Jones was the ABC’s highest paid talent on $355,789, but he appeared to have been overtaken since

The ABC was on October 13 given until the end of November to reveal the individual salaries of its top staff who earn more than $200,000.

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield requested the broadcaster ‘voluntarily’ disclose the names and their pay.

This included 20 top stars who earned between $225,000 and $460,000 – five of whom were paid more than $375,000 and another six more than $300,000.

‘Taxpayers are entitled to ­expect a high level of transparency about how their taxes are being expended on their ­behalf,’ he wrote.

Mr Fifield threatened to introduce legislation that would force the ABC to reveal the information if it did not comply.

However, Ms Guthrie told the committee she had received advice from the prime minister’s department that revealing individual salaries by name would breach the Privacy Act. 

ABC News NSW weeknight presenter Juanita Phillips made $316,454 five years ago

ABC News NSW weeknight presenter Juanita Phillips made $316,454 five years ago

ABCTV breakfast host Virginia Trioli was another high-earning woman making $235,664

ABCTV breakfast host Virginia Trioli was another high-earning woman making $235,664

Sydney drive presenter Richard Glover was the highest earner on radio with $290,000

Sydney drive presenter Richard Glover was the highest earner on radio with $290,000

Instead, she made salary breakdown tables, without names, of the top 150 employees paid more than $200,000 publicly available on the ABC website.

‘[The ABC] should not be burdened with quotas, sectional claims, red tape and political vendettas in achieving what the community expects of it,’ she said.

Mr Fifield made the request at the behest of One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who demanded the increased transparency and a full review of the ABC.

One Nation would in return support loosening media ownership regulations that restricted companies from owning radio, TV, and print at the same time.

Melbourne Mornings presenter Jon Faine on $300,000 was also above the $200,000 mark

Melbourne Mornings presenter Jon Faine on $300,000 was also above the $200,000 mark

ABC's online political editor Annabel Crabb, who also presented various TV shows, was on $217,426

ABC’s online political editor Annabel Crabb, who also presented various TV shows, was on $217,426

Leaked salary lists from 2011-12 showed Q&A presenter Tony Jones was the ABC’s highest paid talent on $355,789, but he appeared to have been overtaken since.

Candidates for the $460,000 pay packet included 7.30 host Leigh Sales, who earned $280,400 five years ago, and ABC News NSW weeknight presenter Juanita Phillips who made $316,454.

Other well-paid women included ABCTV breakfast host Virginia Trioli who earned $235,664, and Radio National breakfast host Fran Kelly on $255,000.

Personalities including radio top earner Sydney drive presenter Richard Glover on $290,000, and Melbourne Mornings presenter Jon Faine on $300,000 were also above the $200,000 mark.

ABC’s online political editor Annabel Crabb, who also presented various TV shows, was on $217,426.

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