The ABC is one of the biggest victims of the 2018-19 budget, with the government slashing $83.7 million from the national broadcaster over its forthcoming funding triennium, which commences in 2019.
The ABC and SBS operate on a triennial funding basis, in which a funding envelope is agreed over three years. However, the government has indicated that the ABC will not merely receive no additional funding in the 2019-22 triennium, it will face a real funding cut.
In order to ensure the ABC continues to find back-office efficiencies the Government will pause indexation of the ABC’s operational funding. This will result in savings to the Budget of $83.7 million over three years from 2019-20 to 2021-22. This will maintain the ABC’s base operational funding at 2018-19 levels …
The broadcaster, which has recently embarrassed the government with its coverage of the company tax issue and which has been targeted with a “competitive neutrality” inquiry aimed at curbing any activities deemed to threaten commercial broadcasters, is already in the process of cutting journalists as part of managing director Michelle Guthrie’s restructuring plans.
It has not recovered funding levels from the “efficiency dividend” imposed on it by the Abbott government in 2014 — in violation of its preelection promise — which cost it tens of millions.
“We all have to live within our means, even the ABC,” Treasurer Scott Morrison quipped when asked about the cut.
Well, that may be, but these cuts stand in stark contrast to last year’s $30 million handout to Foxtel, and, later, the licence fee relief gifted to Australia’s commercial free-to-air networks.
Revenge – this government can’t stand scrutiny or criticism of any sort.
…… “Why can’t the ABC be like Rupert’s Limited News?”?
No surprises here . . . gagging the peoples voice proceeds apace. Only two further planks remain. Removal of the ‘independent’ clauses from ABC Charter and; begin process of relocating accountabilities from ABC Board, to Ministry of Home Affairs. After all, we cannot have unaccountable commentary when national security is under threat?
I’m a bit surprised to learn that the ABC is still one of the Government’s “traditional enemies” – more like the Coalition is one of the ABC’s “traditional enemies”! Look at the way the panels on The Drum and Q & A have been shifting to the right! Look at the way the IPA and Centre for Independent Studies are given huge platforms. Yet despite all of its supine behaviour, the ABC is still cut! Bowing your head to the Coalition just doesn’t work, ABC!
Thank you, Richard. Would you propose a purge of management starting at the top? That would be followed by a plan to properly fund the ABC in the interests of Democracy.
At the same time the ABC gets its LNP medicine, the News Corp/ Sky TV machine will rake in most of the big campaign funds raised by the BCA, the Big Business/ Liberal Tax Cut brigade. Also , incidently, a newly announced Govt. handouts to Movie Studio owners ( Fox anyone?) to encourage Jobson Grothe get a staring role in the Australian film industy.
Follow the money,
All that BCA cash going to Sky/Newscorpse is a good thing. Nobody watches Sky anyway.
Cut the ABC, Cut Education, Cut R&D, but keep the god botherers in the schools.
Andrews, Abbetz, Canavan, Abbott have to be kept happy with funding to keep their imaginary friend happy
The ‘imaginary friend’ would NEVER go along with that crew of fascists!