Bulent Hass Dellal.
The Federal Government has officially appointed Dr Bulent Hass Dellal as the chairman of SBS, where he will serve for just over three years.
Dellal has been SBS acting chair since last year, following the sudden resignation of Nihal Gupta. He first joined the board in 2010, and was appointed to debuty chair in 2011.
Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield congratulated Dellal on his appointment, citing his extensive experience in multicultural affairs.
Dellal is the executive director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation, a role in which he has served for almost 30 years.
He is also the chairman of several other multicultural organisations, including the Centre for Multicultural Youth; the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies Consultative Committee at Melbourne University; the Chairman of the Islamic Museum of Australia, and is on the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council.
Dellal was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1997 for service to multicultural organisations, the arts and the community.
SBS managing director Michael Ebeid said there was “no doubt” Dellal’s appointment would be well received by SBS employees and the community.
“He has contributed enormously to SBS during more than six years serving on the Board, including as Deputy Chairman, and has done a tremendous job as Acting Chair over the last year. I’m delighted that he’s been formally appointed to the role,” Ebeid said.
“Dr Dellal’s extensive knowledge of multicultural affairs, his many years of experience working with diverse community groups, and his strong connections within communities have been invaluable to SBS. I look forward to working closely with him and the Board as SBS continues to deliver distinctive programs and services which help migrants understand Australian culture and values, support Indigenous communities, and showcase the benefits of diversity to all Australians, while also continuing to invest in the organisation’s digital future, ensuring that SBS is in a great place for the years ahead.”
Dellal said he was “incredibly proud” to chair the broadcaster.
“SBS’s unique ability to access, explore and share stories of Indigenous and multicultural Australia, for all Australians, continues to be one of our greatest and most valuable strengths,” he said.
“As the media sector continues to go through transformative changes, I look forward to working with the Board and management to ensure SBS continues to play such a vital and special role in Australia’s future.”
Dellal will lead a board of directors which includes Daryl Karp, Dorothy West, Peeyush Gupta, William Lenehan and Ebeid. He will serve for just over three years, which will take his term on the board up to the statutory limit of 10 years.