Former Triple J Good Nights presenter Bridget Hustwaite has slammed the ABC for letting go of its longstanding music director Richard Kingsmill in favour of someone from the “commercial radio” sector.
Hustwaite has labelled the broadcaster “truly disgusting” for its treatment of Kingsmill, who had been with the network for almost four decades. It was announced last week that the veteran host would be stepping down as music co-ordinator and presenter after 35 years at the ABC-owned network, but it has since been reported that the decision was made by upper management.
Anonymous ABC staffers claimed to The Agethat staff were told in a meeting on Wednesday that Kingsmill “would be replaced with [someone] more familiar to the commercial radio industry”. The employees spoke to the newspaper under the condition they remained anonymous for fear of losing their jobs.
However, Hustwaite no longer works at Triple J and is free to speak out publicly about the broadcaster. She left the station last November after five years as a presenter of Good Nights and seven years in total at the station.
“Fortunately I don’t work at the ABC anymore, so I can speak on this because I don’t have to be worried of losing my job, which is pretty f***ed,” she said in a series of clips shared on Instagram Stories, which have since expired.
“But I got nothing to lose here and I will gladly speak on it because it is disgraceful.”
Hustwaite noted that Kingsmill made an impact during his tenure, launching the Triple J Unearthed platform which gave emerging Aussie artists more airtime, and it was disappointing that he went to air on Sunday without anyone knowing it was his last show.
“Here’s the thing. Richard would not have wanted a send-off because he doesn’t want to make it about him. It’s about the music. [It] always has and always will be about the music for Richard,” she explained.
“But I just think it is criminal that we didn’t know that he would have his final show. It’s just … how can you treat someone like that who has given over three decades of service?”
Hustwaite then rubbished the plan to replace Kingsmill with a presenter who had a “commercial radio” background. She argued that Kingsmill always had his hand on the pulse and knows talent when he sees it.
“Do you know who was the first person to play Ed Sheeran in Australia? It was Richard f***ing Kingsmill,” she said. “So don’t even pull out that line. Kingsmill could do that job.”
“You need someone with experience, knowledge and his work ethic? Unmatched. Good luck filling that void. Good luck,” she added. “I just think it is truly disgusting. The lack of acknowledgment, the no send-off. He wouldn’t have wanted a send-off anyway. But for a man who has been there for over three decades? Come on.”
“I don’t work at the ABC and I don’t have to be worried about losing my job so I can be as unhinged and pissed off as I like. Because I know this is a shared feeling … It’s so cooked.”
In the shock ABC press release from earlier this week announcing his departure, Kingsmill said, “I’ve given my heart and soul to everything I’ve done here. The best feeling now, at the end of all that, is knowing how much I’ve still got left in the tank in continuing to contribute to the Australian music industry.”
“Coming up with the Unearthed brand and initial concept was one thing. Being able to uncover the likes of Missy Higgins, Grinspoon, G Flip and Genesis Owusu is one of the great thrills and privileges for me,” added Kingsmill, whose replacement has not yet been announced.