Ita Buttrose Discusses Immigration Views as Albanese Returns to ABC

Ita Buttrose, renowned for her significant contributions to the Australian media landscape, has openly expressed her views on immigration during a promotional tour for her memoir, Unapologetically Ita. In a recent online discussion with Professor Henry Brodaty from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, Buttrose, who resigned from her role as chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in March 2024, remarked on the state of multiculturalism in Australia.

During the interview, Buttrose stated, "I think we’re more divided. I don’t think the multicultural society that we’ve spoken about so proudly in Australia is working as well as it could be." She attributed this division to the presence of divisive groups within the country, suggesting that while diverse viewpoints are essential, newcomers should strive to adapt to Australian norms. She emphasized this point by saying, "this is Australia, so I think we have to be emphatic that you try and live our way, not the way you did when you were in the country that you left to become an Australian, because most people that do come here do end up taking out citizenship."

At 83 years old, the former media executive took pride in the fact that her political leanings have remained a mystery to the public throughout her career. This statement reflects her desire to maintain a neutral position in the media, despite the often polarized nature of political discussions in Australia.

In a nostalgic twist, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a return to the ABC segment Hard Chat, a decade after his memorable appearance as a shadow minister in 2015. During that initial interview with comedian Tom Gleeson, Albanese humorously predicted that he would return in ten years. True to his word, he recently recorded a new segment with Gleeson.

According to industry blog TV Tonight, Albanese confirmed that the interview has been recorded, showcasing a lighthearted moment with Gleeson. The Prime Minister quipped, "If Tom can bring a crew to Canberra, we can try to organize one special edition of Hard Chat for those old enough to remember it." Gleeson, who had retired the segment five years ago, felt that bringing it back for a sitting Prime Minister was an opportunity too good to pass up. He commented, "I was worried I would be rusty but it turns out disdain for authority figures comes pretty naturally." The Prime Minister’s office backed this by providing photos from the recording, featuring his dog Toto sitting on his lap.

Shifting gears to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's programming, ABC has announced an impressive slate of new shows slated for 2026. Among the highlights is a drama centered around the controversial robodebt scheme, a miniseries about the Indigenous tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley, and a gripping mystery featuring Anna Torv as a detective tackling issues of gender-based violence.

Eight months into his tenure as ABC's managing director, Hugh Marks, expressed enthusiasm about the expanded offerings. The network will present 60 prime-time premium television series, up from 43 in the previous year. Jennifer Collins, who heads the ABC’s screen division, emphasized the importance of Australian content in engaging viewers. She stated, "When we launch these shows, there’s a real appreciation that they’re seeing Australian stories on the screen, seeing Australian actors on the screen and that they can see a bit of themselves on the screen." Collins underscored that without this connection to local narratives, competition from streaming platforms like Netflix, along with the overall fragmentation of audiences, would pose significant challenges.

Ita Buttrose's candid remarks on immigration and multiculturalism, coupled with Anthony Albanese's return to Hard Chat, illustrate the dynamic nature of Australian media and public discourse. As the ABC gears up for a robust lineup in 2026, the emphasis on local stories and representation highlights the broadcaster's commitment to engaging the Australian public in meaningful ways. As Australia continues to navigate the complexities of its cultural landscape, these discussions remain vital for understanding and shaping the country's future.