Michelle Guthrie's interim replacement is unable to say why her "dynamic" leadership style was wrong for the ABC board or why she was sacked as managing director.
Acting managing director David Anderson, a 30-year ABC veteran, spoke to the media on Tuesday, a day after Ms Guthrie's shock ousting.
"Michelle's leadership style was dynamic. Michelle challenged us in a lot of ways to be better, challenged us to free up more money for content and went about that over the last two-and-a-half years," he told the ABC.
However, he was not privy to the board's deliberations.
"I can't tell you why (her leadership style) was wrong for the ABC board and why the ABC board made the decision that they made," he said.
Championing the ABC's journalism to politicians in Canberra was now his utmost focus, he added.
Mr Anderson says freezing indexation to the ABC's budget is a problem, but denies there has been budget blow-out.
However, he is confident the soon-to-be-released annual report will show the broadcaster is in good shape.
Justifying Ms Guthrie's sacking, chairman Justin Milne said her relationship with the government could have been better and she did not have the right leadership style for the ABC.
Ms Guthrie is considering her legal options.
"I am devastated by the board's decision to terminate my employment despite no claim of wrongdoing on my part," she said in a statement on Monday.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he expects the ABC board to follow its protocols and processes for employing leaders.
"No-one has advised me that hasn't occurred through the minister," he told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.
Deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie said she hopes Ms Guthrie's replacement focuses on rural and regional Australia.
Labor communications spokeswoman Michelle Rowland said the sacking took her by surprise and Australians will be curious as to what transpired at the broadcaster.
Various reports said the relationship between Ms Guthrie and Mr Milne had broken down in recent times. Her contract contained a clause allowing the board to sack her at any time.
The first woman to run the ABC and a former Google and News Corp executive, Ms Guthrie was appointed in May 2016 to drive digital transformation.
ABC journalists and the media union have been critical of Ms Guthrie's leadership, and have expressed hope the next director will be an advocate for the broadcaster.
Australian Associated Press
