Albanese Government Keeps ABC and SBS Ombudsmen
The government declined a proposal from the antisemitism envoy to move complaint powers for the ABC and SBS to an external ombudsman.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Judaism
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The Albanese government has declined to scrap the ABC and SBS ombudsmen in favour of an external oversight body, rejecting a proposal from antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal. Segal's updated priorities report, released in October 2026, argued that ABC and SBS coverage of the war in Gaza should be monitored by an external independent ombudsman.
Why it matters
The dispute centres on how public broadcasters handle complaints about contested coverage of the Middle East and the balance between editorial independence and external scrutiny. The outcome may shape oversight arrangements for Australia's public broadcasters as the royal commission into antisemitism prepares its findings.
The proposal came from Segal's updated priorities report released in October 2026, which recommended an external independent ombudsman for ABC and SBS coverage. The Australian Communications and Media Authority already investigates complaints escalated beyond the broadcasters' own ombudsmen, and whether further changes will follow remains unresolved.
The players
Jillian Segal
Australia's antisemitism envoy, who proposed transferring ABC and SBS complaint powers to an external independent ombudsman.
Anika Wells
Australia's federal communications minister, responsible for oversight of the national broadcasters.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australia's national public broadcaster, which says its complaints process is the most robust and transparent in Australian media.
Special Broadcasting Service
Australia's multicultural public broadcaster, whose ombudsman handles complaints alongside the ABC's.
Australian Communications and Media Authority
The independent regulator that reviews complaints escalated beyond the ABC and SBS ombudsmen.
The details
Segal said many in the Jewish community perceive coverage of the war in Gaza as one-directional and argued that the independence of public broadcasters does not amount to a right to be free from external scrutiny. The ABC said its complaints process is the most robust and transparent in Australian media, and government sources noted that the Australian Communications and Media Authority already acts as an external independent regulator.
Timeline
December 2025: Bondi beach massacre prompts the royal commission into antisemitism, headed by Virginia Bell.
Mid-2025: Segal's first report proposes envoy monitoring of media powers.
October 2026: Segal releases her updated priorities report with the ombudsman proposal.
Mid-December 2026: The royal commission is scheduled to report.
Industry Context
The proposal would add a new external ombudsman on top of the Australian Communications and Media Authority's existing review powers under the Broadcasting Services Act. The current arrangements already allow escalation beyond the ABC and SBS ombudsmen, so the debate concerns whether an additional layer is needed.
Viewers and listeners who make complaints about ABC or SBS coverage will continue to use the existing ombudsman process, with ACMA available for escalation. Any future change would alter where complaints are lodged and reviewed.
The takeaway
Oversight of public broadcasters is being tested by a long-running dispute over coverage of the Middle East, and readers can follow how the royal commission's recommendations shape the rules for complaints.
What happens next
The royal commission into antisemitism, headed by Virginia Bell, is scheduled to report in mid-December 2026, and its findings could prompt further changes to broadcaster oversight.
Further reading
Explore more on Judaism and the community debates shaping the public conversation around this issue.
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