Controversial historian Keith Windschuttle has dealt with the storm over his appointment to the ABC Board in his customary fashion, publishing an article in Quadrant denying its existence. "I have seen no proof of any outrage and can only conclude it does not exist," he said. "And I reject the suggestion by lesser, evidence-based historians that I should try reading newspapers, listening to the radio or checking my email."

Howard said that the criticism of Windschuttle's appointment was typical of what he termed the 'black armband' view of the ABC board. "People shouldn't be wringing our hands over the negative aspect of the Government's appointments to the ABC Board," he said. "They should instead look at the positive aspects, such the fact that we haven't appointed Alan Jones yet."
The Friends of the ABC's reaction to Windschuttle's appointment was mixed. "Ordinarily, we would think this was a disgrace of the highest order," a member said. "But compared to Janet Albrechtsen and Ron Brunton, he's highly qualified and politically moderate."

It's understood that the next vacancy on the board will be Eddie McGuire, signing up for one of the only jobs in television he doesn't already hold. "We figure he has so many conflicts of interest that he'll be refreshingly independent," Communications Minister Helen Coonan said.

ABC staff are in favour of the appointment because unlike all previous appointees, McGuire has actually set foot inside a TV station before.

The Government said it had toyed with the idea of appointing someone independent who had relevant broadcasting experience and the best interests of the national broadcaster at heart, but ultimately decided not to overturn decades of ABC board tradition.

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