ABC drops sponsorship of LGBTQ+, disability and diversity groups including Acon

Exclusive: Decision follows friction over public broadcaster paying fees to groups, which then rank ABC on equality index Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The ABC is walking away from three prominent diversity and inclusion groups after long-running external pressure over whether the relationships compromise the national broadcaster’s independence. In an internal newsletter circulated to staff and seen by Guardian Australia on Tuesday, the ABC announced plans to end its controversial memberships with Acon Health’s Pride in Diversity program, the Australian Disability Network, and the Diversity Council of Australia. The decision marks a reset under managing director, Hugh Marks, who took over in March 2025, and follows years of internal friction and grilling in senate estimates about paying membership fees to lobby groups, including Acon, which then ranked and awarded the ABC based on its inclusion and diversity scores. The internal announcement said the ABC had conducted a top-down assessment of its external partnerships and concluded they were “no longer providing sufficient value” to the organisation. It also said ABC management was reviewing other exis