Kim Williams, the ABC’s board chair, found himself in hot water this week after admitting he crossed a line in communications about a veteran comedian’s promotional spots on the public broadcaster. The revelation, laid bare on the April 28 episode of Media Watch, has sparked a firestorm over influence, integrity, and just how far a chair’s reach should extend.
The story centers on Austen Tayshus, real name Sandy Gutman, a comedian whose 1983 hit Australiana made him a household name. Now, four decades later, Gutman’s been hitting the road for the single’s 40th anniversary, playing pubs and clubs with his signature irreverent humor. But it wasn’t just nostalgia driving his recent ABC airtime. Media Watch exposed that Williams, a personal acquaintance of Gutman, had been nudging ABC staff to give the comedian a leg-up with promotional interviews across various programs. The push raised eyebrows—and hackles—among the broadcaster’s ranks.
Williams didn’t shy away from the accusations. In a statement to Media Watch, he copped to using “gratuitous language” and admitted his approach was “inappropriate.” He insisted, though, that he never meddled with editorial decisions. “I did not at any time intervene and would never seek to override editorial judgment from local teams,” he said, doubling down that his comments were merely about “responding to talent.” But the damage was done. An unnamed ABC staffer, quoted by Media Watch, called it “an alarming failure of several levels of ABC management who should’ve stood up to the chairperson.”
The saga took a sharper turn when Ben Latimer, ABC’s head of audio, stepped in. According to Media Watch, Latimer told Williams to back off, bluntly informing him that Gutman was “out of line.” Williams, to his credit, said he “took his counsel” and dialed it back. Still, the incident has left a stain, with critics arguing it erodes trust in the ABC’s independence—a broadcaster already under scrutiny for its impartiality.
Gutman’s tour, meanwhile, has benefited from the ABC’s platform, with interviews that some staff felt were less about merit and more about Williams’ influence. The comedian’s connection to the chair, described by Media Watch as Gutman’s “man on the inside,” has fueled perceptions of favoritism. For an organization that prides itself on fairness, the optics aren’t great.
Williams’ admission marks a rare moment of accountability from a high-ranking media figure, but it hasn’t quelled the controversy. The ABC’s board has stayed mum on any formal repercussions, and no official disciplinary measures have been announced. The broadcaster’s charter, which demands editorial independence, looms large over the debate, though no government or regulatory body has yet weighed in.
The episode aired on April 28, 2025. Williams responded to Media Watch on the same day. Gutman’s Australiana tour continues, with no comment from the comedian on the controversy. The ABC has not issued a public statement beyond Williams’ remarks.