In a separate note to staff, Williams called Anderson’s statement excellent, dignified and comprehensive.

“I am sure you will agree with me readily that David is a special individual, and that the ABC has been a better place for his leadership,” Williams said.

The chair said he and his board will initiate a recruitment process in the near future, however, he did not expect to make an appointment until next year.

Anderson said his decision came despite Williams and the board’s efforts to persuade him to stay on for a full second term.

“Their unabashed enthusiasm for the importance and future of the corporation makes this decision easier. I am confident the timing is right for both me and the ABC.”

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Anderson’s reappointment was considered controversial by some at the time, given the chair’s most crucial task is to appoint a managing director and Buttrose was in the final year of her contract.

Anderson’s first full term was due to expire on May 5 this year, two months after Williams began in the role.

Holmes said that decision by Buttrose and the board had deprived Williams of the opportunity to appoint his own managing director.

“David has now left the way clear for Williams and the board he chairs to make this crucial appointment early in his term”.

Since starting in the role, Williams has made a series of constructively critical remarks about the organisation.

He critiqued the broadcaster’s news prioritisation in a recent staff briefing, said it can be too tabloid at times, and in January said aspects of the ABC had become “bland”.

Anderson’s term in office has not been without controversy. He was the subject of a union-led vote of no confidence in January over allegations of pro-Israel bias and suggestions management had buckled to external interference in the decision to sack interim radio presenter Antoinette Lattouf.

He was also criticised in May for the way the ABC had publicly rebuked 7.30 political editor Laura Tingle for comments she made at a Sydney Writers’ Festival event.

Anderson told ABC Radio Melbourne’s Ali Moore on Thursday afternoon there are people internally that the chair and the board should consider as candidates to replace him.

A statement from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance on Thursday afternoon said the next managing director of the ABC must resist political interference and be a defender of the independence of its journalism.

ABC Breakfast host Michael Rowland said Anderson has done an “incredible job in often challenging circumstances”.

“He’s a fundamentally good and decent man.”

Anderson said he has enormous respect for Williams, with his vast experience and knowledge, who brings a new era of leadership for the ABC.

“We share a genuine passion for the ABC as a crucially important cultural institution, and in particular for its Charter and purpose. Under his leadership at the board level, I am certain the ABC is in very good hands,” Anderson said.

“To everyone I have worked with for over three decades, thank you for your friendship, support, advice and collegiality. Being part of the ABC with you has been the highlight of my career.”

The total remuneration for the managing director’s position in the 2023 fiscal year was $1.16 million, according to the ABC’s recent annual report.

Asked by Moore if he was comfortable with how he handled several events, including Lattouf’s sacking and the rebuke of Tingle, Anderson said while many things will “bubble up” at the ABC, his job is to remain focused on his role.

Anderson added he doesn’t have any major regrets from his six years.

“I don’t think you get to the end of six years in this role without a few regrets, and hindsight is a wonderful thing, so you just do your best at the time with the information that you’ve got. The important thing is that you keep making decisions and learn from any mistakes, no one’s perfect.”

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