ABC news director Justin Stevens has been rewarded with a $110,000 pay rise despite multiple scandals gripping the public broadcaster and declining community satisfaction.

The increase takes Mr Stevens’ total salary to $667,900, raising questions of financial management at the broadcaster which continues to ask for an increase to its $1.3 billion budget.

Before the almost 20 per cent increase in the news boss’ salary, the ABC suffered a year of scandals including legal losses, more than 65 admissions of fault and a decline in key performance metrics.

The ABC’s 2025 annual report revealed that compared to last year, multiple consumer and community satisfaction metrics had slumped - as well as the broadcaster’s overall reach.

The proportion of people who value the ABC and its services to

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