ABC staff and fans revolt after major stars are caught up in jobs bloodbath

ABC Radio employees and fans are turning to the national broadcaster after a string of much-loved presenters failed to have their contracts renewed.

The massacre includes presenters such as Sarah Macdonald, Richard Glover, Simon Marnie and Robbie Buck, who were told their contracts would not be renewed until 2025.

Replacements for the highly respected lineup with decades of experience have yet to be announced, leaving fans and colleagues scratching their heads.

Staff were shocked when Cassandra Parkinson, chair of Friends of the ABC, said listeners should have ‘at least some expectation about the strategy going forward’.

“We need to hear from chief audio director Ben Latimer about why these decisions have been made,” Ms Parkinson said Daily Telegraph.

Latimer explained in a statement to ABC staff that the changes were “driven by rapidly evolving audience expectations.”

“Change is never easy and the impact on some of our colleagues is of course difficult,” it said.

He added that the 2025 selection decisions had been “carefully thought through and discussed” and noted that the ABC is “navigating a period of important transition”.

However, Latimer’s statement did little to dampen fans’ frustration, with nearly 6,000 people signing a change.org petition calling for Macdonald to be reinstated as host.

Macdonald announced her “disappointment” as she departed the ABC broadcast during her November 21 show after weeks away from ABC Sydney’s Mornings show.

“Look, I won’t be on the radio with you next year, the ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at Mornings,” she said.

‘I am proud of what I have done. The ratings are up, I’ve covered a lot of stories, had the first interview with the new Governor General, instructed the Premier of New South Wales to take your calls regularly, led the election coverage, the move to our Parramatta studios. ‘

Former Media Watch host Paul Barry took to social media to express his disbelief at Macdonald’s retirement after decades of service.

‘IMHO (in my honest opinion) she’s brilliant, one of the best things on radio. WTAF,” Barry wrote in a message to X.

Morning Show rival Ray Hadley also sang Macdonald’s praises.

“I don’t know Sarah Macdonald but I know one thing about her, she is a quality broadcaster and I would say there is a shortage of quality broadcasters at the ABC,” he told listeners.

Among the presenters to be axed was Sarah Macdonald (pictured), who rival Ray Hadley described on the morning show as ‘a quality broadcaster … which is in short supply at the ABC’.

Much-loved presenter Simon Marnie’s emotional final show after thirty years of presenting was attended by hundreds of people outside Government House last weekend.

Among those present were Robbie Buck, whose contract was also not renewed, Governor-General Sam Mostyn and NSW Governor Margaret Beazley.

Buck told Marnie “we love you… we’re going to miss you” before quietly announcing that he would also be leaving Auntie at his show later that night.

“I just wanted to say thank you very much,” Governor General Mostyn told Marnie.

Ms Parkinson echoed the sentiments of ABC Radio fans who are concerned ‘about staff leaving’.

“I just hope they’re doing well and being taken care of,” she said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the ABC for comment.