Communications’ Minister, Daryl Williams, reportedly has plans to establish a new independent complaints body to hear serious complaints against ABC and SBS radio and TV.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Cosima Marriner says Williams appears to have quietly succeeded in fulfilling the desire of his extroverted predecessor, Richard Alston to make the ABC more accountable.

The plans are revealed in a letter, dated 23 March, from the outgoing Minister to ABC Chairman, Donald McDonald: “I agree, in principle, that the establishment of an independent complaints handling body to consider complaints against the national broadcasters is worth pursuing.”

Alston had been pushing for a new body – separate to existing internal mechanisms – to handle major complaints against the ABC, as well as independent monitoring of bias in its political coverage.

Despite initial resistance, the ABC seems to be implementing Alston’s proposals of its own accord. It is already paying Rehame to monitor its political coverage until election night.

The Williams’ letter reveals many of the suggestions for the new body came from the ABC board itself.

The Minister apparently has agreed that the new body will consist of a small panel of members, only consider complaints after they have first been heard by the broadcaster, and refer to ABC and SBS editorial policies and guidelines when considering complaints.

Donald McDonald says the Board is considering several options to reform its procedures and has not made any decision: “This is not a decision we are rushing.”