ABC deputy chair Peter Tonagh resigns from board of public broadcaster 18 months before term ends

The ABC’s deputy chair Peter Tonagh has resigned from his position at the Australian public broadcaster, 18 months earlier than the required end of his board term.

Peter Tonagh

The news of his surprise departure broke over Christmas with ABC chair Kim Williams thanking Tonagh for his contribution to the broadcaster, as board member since May 2021 and deputy chair of the ABC since November 2021.

Tonagh said he was grateful for the opportunity to have served on the ABC board, noting the “camaraderie and enjoyment” during his tenure.

He also flagged his support for the appointment of incoming managing director Hugh Marks, who starts his new role on March 10, replacing David Anderson. Tongah said he was “confident Mr Marks would build strongly on Mr Anderson’s impressive legacy.”

No formal reason has been disclosed for Tonagh’s early exit from his first board term.

The former News Corp and Foxtel executive was originally appointed to the board by the former government in 2021 alongside former Seven network executive Mario D’Orazio, and Fiona Balfour for a five year term. Balfour also exited the board ahead of her expected term in January 2023. D’Orazio remains on the board until May 2026.

Prior to that Tonagh had led an Efficiency Review on the ABC and SBS. He holds many board positions across a range if sectors including serving as chair of Bus Stop Fims and director of data analytics from Quantium Group Holdings.