Former ABC chair grilled on Michelle Guthrie's sacking in Senate hearing

Former ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie's actions following her sacking have damaged the broadcaster's reputation, former chair Justin Milne says.

Justin Milne is appearing before a Senate inquiry. Source: ABC Australia

Former ABC chair Justin Milne is standing firm and denying any responsibility in undermining public trust in the national broadcaster.

Mr Milne, appearing before a Senate inquiry, has also continued to shift the blame for the saga that has engulfed the ABC this year to sacked managing director Michelle Guthrie.

"I take responsibility for terminating Ms Guthrie, and her subsequent actions since have led to this firestorm, that's for sure," Mr Milne told the inquiry in Canberra on Friday.

"It was a great honour to serve as the ABC chair person. I resigned, not as a concession of any wrongdoing, but because of the media storm which followed the leaking of an out-of-context email."

Justin Milne and Michelle Guthrie will give evidence before a Senate inquiry. Source: AAP

Mr Milne says Ms Guthrie was sacked from her high-profile position in September due to "poor leadership skills leading to a loss of confidence and trust in her".

Mr Milne has also emphatically denied inappropriate conduct allegations levelled against him by Ms Guthrie in a written submission to the committee.

"I have never referred to Ms Guthrie as 'the missus'. I acknowledge that I have used the terms "chicks" but never as a pejorative or in a denigrating manner," he said.

Mr Turnbull did not raise concerns about Triple J moving the date of their Hottest 100 countdown, or his alleged displeasure of ABC political reporter Andrew Probyn.

"(Mr Turnbull) never suggested anything like that to me, by implication or otherwise," Mr Milne said.

"I don't know any of the staff at Triple J to contact them. I have zero memory of ever discussing (the Hottest 100) with Triple J staff."

JUSTIN MILNE V MICHELLE GUTHRIE

What they say on:

Michelle Guthrie's sacking in September

- "Ms Guthrie was terminated due to poor leadership skills leading to a loss of confidence and trust in her by the ABC board and many of its employees." - Mr Milne

- "The board has not explained its reasons for the termination of my employment. It cites a loss of confidence ... but does not explain what or why it has formed this view." - Ms Guthrie

The government's alleged criticism of ABC journalist Emma Alberici

"The zeitgeist" - Mr Milne's response when asked why he said the government "friggin' hate her".

"I wasn't aware of that in my dealings with the government." - Ms Guthrie

ABC's '360' performance review

"The results of Ms Guthrie's '360' were extremely poor and unexpected and this was of very significant concern to the board." - Mr Milne

"The important thing to note about the '360' is it is a personal development tool, not a performance tool." - Ms Guthrie

Triple J Hottest 100

- "I don't know any of the staff at Triple J to contact them. I have zero memory of ever discussing (the Hottest 100) with Triple J staff." - Mr Milne

- "My understand was he (Mr Milne) spoke to the Triple J staff." - Ms Guthrie