Chaos erupts at ABC amid Hamish Macdonald’s appointment – as internal letter is leaked

A leaked letter has revealed ABC Radio staff are furious with management for leaving them in the dark after not renewing the contracts of two beloved presenters.

In a letter sent to the ABC board, staff i Sydney said they were ‘confused and concerned’ after Sarah Macdonald and Simon Marnie got the boot.

Reporters said management did not consult or provide an explanation as to why the pair were axed from the morning shift, other than the show needed a ‘refresh’.

Macdonald has been on stress leave since announcing live on air that ABC would not be renewing her contract after two years hosting the morning show.

The national broadcaster has yet to announce Macdonald’s replacement, but it is believed to be the former Q+A host Hamish Macdonald, The Guardian reported.

Hamish Macdonald co-hosts ABC Radio National’s Global Roaming program and is a panelist for Channel tenis the project.

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

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

‘We are not responding to Sarah’s distress. We are responding to an audience pouring out confusion and disbelief the likes of which we have never seen.

‘We believe that recent actions have trampled on this relationship of trust. We believe this is a mistake and undermines what has been achieved here in a century of broadcasting.’

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

Without naming them, the letter takes aim at the current management, including the head of the capital network and sport Mike Fitzpatrick and director of audio Ben Latimer.

“We are noticing a marked shift towards senior management having a commercial media/radio background,” the letter read.

‘We have yet to see evidence of a true understanding and belief in the vital role and responsibility of the public broadcaster in these leadership roles.

“None of them really understand public broadcasting and have made little effort to understand the nature of (ABC) community radio.”

Staff claimed to ‘feel unheard’ and were ‘deeply disappointed’ before asking for a meeting with ABC chairman Kim Williams or another board member to discuss the current situation.

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

Glover stepped down from his position after hosting the 3.30pm to 6.30pm on ABC’s Drive Program for the past 26 years.

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

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

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