The federal government has put forward former NewsCorp CEO Kim Williams as the new ABC Chair.

Communications minister Michelle Rowland said Mr Williams is a recognised producer, innovator and executive leader with extensive experience in the screen, music, sports and media industries.

Mr Williams said the role came with a solemn responsibility.

“I think at the core of all journalism at the ABC is the imperative of being absolutely verifiably independent, offering at all times true journalistic integrity and … having an aspiration to freedom from bias,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Mr Williams was “a perfect fit” to provide stability and leadership to the ABC.

“Kim is someone who gets the ABC and he’s someone who understands instinctively what a national broadcaster can and should be,” he told a media conference.

Mr Williams takes over from outgoing Chairperson Ita Buttrose, who has reached the end of her five year term.

The announcement comes as the ABC faces legal action in the Fair Work Commission brought by journalist Antoinette Lattouf, who claims she was sacked because of race and political opinion after sharing a Human Rights Watch (HRW) social media post alleging the Israeli government is using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza.

The ABC has rejected the claims and lodged a defence.