Alleged email Justin Milne sent to Michelle Guthrie

“We are tarred with her brush. I think it’s simple. Get rid of her. We need to save the ABC – not Emma [Alberici]. There is no guarantee [the Coalition] will lose the next election.”

David Hill, former ABC chair and managing director

“[Mr Milne is] saying that, to relieve political pressure from Canberra, the managing director should sack one of its senior journalists. I’ve never heard anything like it.”

“Sadly, I think [he has] got to consider his position and I think he has to go.”

Emma Alberici, senior ABC journalist

“It’s disappointing if it’s true. Obviously you don’t want your chairman to hold such a dim view of you and your journalism.”

“It’s up to the board and I guess ultimately the government [to decide what to do with Mr Milne]. But it does strike [me] as odd and very disturbing if the minister [Mitch Fifield] was also somehow expressing a view about my continued employment. I just really think it undermines the independence of the ABC and that’s why we work there.”

James Spigelman, former ABC chair

“It’s not something I would have thought appropriate for me to do.”

“I was surprised and I would not have done it.”

Andrew Bolt, conservative columnist

“This kind of political calculation is disgraceful. Shame on the board for not quashing it immediately.”

“Milne must go.”

MEAA, the media union

“It’s very rare for ABC journalists to call an open staff meeting during their lunch breaks at very short notice.”

“Staff are very concerned by the disturbing reports of their chairman’s email to Michelle Guthrie urging her to sack a staff member.”

Barrie Cassidy, senior ABC presenter

“Justin Milne’s exposed rationale behind his stance on a government complaint goes to the heart of the ABC’s independence. And he’s the chairman!”

Richard Glover, ABC radio host

“Justin Milne is only half the story. His email implies someone gave him cause to believe ABC funding was linked to the current government getting its way.

“That’s the who, where and how that needs answering.”

Mike Carlton, columnist

“An ABC chairman has no place in making editorial decisions, nor to hire or fire staff.”

“Milne has behaved disgracefully in attempting to axe Alberici to appease Turnbull and Fifield. ABC staff should pass a motion of no-confidence in him. Pronto.”

Scott Morrison, Prime Minister

“People are making some allegations at the moment, but what the facts are, I still think is a little unclear.”

“My point is simply this. The ABC is an independent broadcaster. It’s funded by the taxpayers. I expect the ABC to behave in a professional way and it should conduct itself in a highly independent and unbiased way.”

Mitch Fifield, Communications Minister

“I have never involved myself in staffing matters, nor am I aware of any member of the government who has sought to do so.

“The operations of the ABC are entirely matters for the board and management of the ABC which, by law, the minister does not have a role in.

“Questions about the ABC’s board and managements are matters for the ABC.”

Michelle Rowland, Shadow Communications Minister

“There are some very serious questions that need to be answered by the chairman of the ABC.

“If indeed it cannot be established that there was no political interference in this matter, or indeed if we have no clarity as to whether or not the independence or the integrity of the ABC has been upheld, then surely this position of the chairman is untenable.”

Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens senator

“Mr Milne’s position is untenable. As the chair of an organisation that is supposed to be independent of government, Milne has shown he can’t be trusted with the ABC.

“Protecting the ABC from political interference is the most important responsibility of the chair.

“There can be no more serious breach than the apparent demand that a journalist be sacked at the behest of the prime minister of the day.”

Justin Milne digs in

“The job of the ABC board is to independently govern the corporation, protect its best interests, ensure that it is well funded, well managed and that our content is of the highest standards.

“That is precisely what the board has done and will continue to do. I do not propose to provide a running commentary on day to day issues which arise in pursuit of our duties.”