Ben Butler has resigned as chair of the Walkley Judging Board following an allegation that he made a disparaging remark about an ABC colleague. The Walkley Foundation confirmed the resignation on Wednesday but declined to provide further details.
Alleged Comment and Resignation
Butler, a former ABC journalist, allegedly said the colleague should be “killed and buried in a shallow grave” during a heated phone conversation while working in the ABC’s Melbourne newsroom. The incident was not reported at the time. Butler resigned from the ABC earlier this year after being suspended over the allegation.
The Walkley Foundation had appointed Butler as chair in April, but he stepped down amid the controversy. He declined to comment on the resignation or the allegation, telling The Australian that its version of events was distorted and that he left the ABC following a series of short-term contracts.
Background and Replacement
Butler, a former reporter for Guardian Australia, has worked at the Herald Sun, The Age and The Australian, specializing in business and crime. He won two Walkley Awards in 2023 as part of a team covering Australia’s childcare crisis.
Gay Alcorn, former editor of The Age, has been appointed as the new chair. Alcorn, a three-time Walkley Award winner and senior writer for Good Weekend magazine, previously served on the board between 2008 and 2011 and rejoined last year.
Walkley Foundation chief executive Shona Martyn praised Alcorn, saying she “brings exceptional experience to the role” and is “a thoughtful and perceptive judge who has long been a champion of public interest journalism and the highest editorial standards.”
Upcoming Awards
The 71st Walkley Awards will open for entries on 1 July and be presented on 19 November. Alcorn said it is “an honour to play a role in recognising the outstanding journalism we produce every year.”
