All-male lineup take top slots at ABC Sydney after Chris Bath’s shock departure | Australian Broadcasting Corporation

ABC radio chief Ben Latimer says “there’s always more to be done” on diversity after Chris Bath was replaced by a male presenter at ABC Sydney and the station leaves with an all-male line-up from Breakfast to Drive in 2026.

Bath, who announced his resignation on Monday after just a year, will be replaced by Thomas Oriti in Key Drive, which was vacated by veteran broadcaster Richard Glover after 26 years.

Bath, a popular television personality, was a big hire for ABC, which needed a well-known host to replace Glover. His short tenure surprised the audience.

Announcing his departure on Monday, Bath said he was leaving Drive “to pursue some passion projects and different opportunities away from the news cycle that has been beckoning us for years.”

Guardian Australia understands Bath also raised concerns about the production support he was given for the three-hour live radio. Bath declined to comment.

Internally, staff have been shocked by the dearth of female presenters at the main station, particularly following an angry backlash from listeners and staff last year when Sarah Macdonald was axed from Mornings and replaced by Hamish Macdonald.

Sydney’s flagship local radio line-up now includes Craig Reucassel on Breakfast, Macdonald on Mornings, James O’Loughlin and James Valentine on Afternoons and Oriti on Drive. Valentine has been on sick leave since June and Kathryn Robinson has been filling in for him.

Latimer, who rose to executive status when she was appointed audio director last year, told the Guardian Australia women “continue to play a central and high-profile role in the ABC’s audio services” and listed women presenters on other networks, including Radio National presenters Sally Sara on RN Breakfast and Sabra Lane on AM.

“At the same time, we recognize that there is always more to be done,” he said. “Our aim is continuous improvement, so our presenters, stories and cast reflect the full diversity of the Australian communities we serve.”

Latimer said Bath “made a personal decision about the demands of daily radio and the balance he wanted in his life.”

“We fully support his choice and are happy he will continue as part of the 702 team on Sundays,” he said.

Journalist and academic from Sydney University of Technology Dr. Helen Vatsikopoulos said she was shocked by the all-male cast.

“The ABC has completely forgotten about half of the population while continuing to pursue its various diversity goals,” Vatsikopoulos said.

“Well, this was a place to bring back the popular and much-loved Sarah Macdonald… or I should say Antoinette Lattouf.

“This is another ABC own goal. Deep strategic thinking is needed in ABC radio management. Maybe there are too many men at the top.”

According to ABC, women make up 55.8% of the workforce at ABC Diversity and Inclusion annual report.

“ABC has achieved gender parity in its management group, with 57.1% of executive positions held by women,” the report said. “This is against the 50 percent target.

“ABC has also increased the representation of female technologists from 24.5% to 27.2% since August 2023, reaching its 2026 target of 25%.”

But there is a gender pay gap at ABC; According to the latest Commonwealth data, men earn almost 10% more than women.

Sources not authorized to speak publicly said ABC local radio was chronically under-resourced and presenters were hampered by a temporary workforce, while producers came and went on short-term contracts. There are no dedicated panel operators and little technical support.

Former 7 p.m. ABC News anchor Juanita Phillips shared on social media that ABC has an “established culture.”

“The disappearance of smart, talented women over the age of 50 from ABC screens and broadcasts has been happening for many years,” he said.

“Three years ago (before I disappeared) I tried to motivate management to take real action on this issue, but it is an entrenched culture.”

Cate Faehrmann, an upper house MP for the New South Wales Green House, said on social media that the ABC “can’t be serious” about replacing Bath with a man.

“This is not 1982,” he said on Threads. “This is not one of those shock sports advertising channels where we would perhaps expect this type of programming. This is our public broadcaster who should know better.”

Oriti, who hosts the national breakfast show on ABC NewsRadio and Background Briefing on ABC Radio National, is an experienced presenter and senior correspondent on the ABC’s flagship current affairs programmes.

Bath will remain with the ABC, hosting the Sunday morning show broadcast across NSW.