A critical election for the future of the ABC
Australia’s democracy is fragile and at risk in this era of disinformation and downright lies, according to five leading voices in support of a strong ABC, at a rally for a fearless and independent national broadcaster hosted by ABC Friends NSW & ACT and chaired by NSW&ACT President, Tess Howes.
The overwhelming message was that this is a critical election for the future of the ABC, where our national broadcaster is needed now more than ever. And the major political parties have strongly divergent visions for the ABC.
Supporters and Friends gathered at the NSW Teachers Federation conference centre in Surry Hills on Sunday 14 April to hear from the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young, activist Thomas Mayo, ABC Alumni President Jonathan Holmes and Sydney barrister Geoffrey Watson, SC. The Opposition spokesperson on Communications, Melissa McIntosh, was invited but did not attend.
Geoffrey Watson warned about complacency. “Australians tend to take things for granted,” he said. “One thing we take for granted is democracy itself.” But democracy is always fragile and always vulnerable, as we have seen in the USA, he said, and can be corrupted very quickly.
He said while he was not predicting a democratic collapse in Australia, it was ‘fraying at the edges’.
“I depend on the ABC as an essential element in protecting our democracy,’ Watson said.
The fight for control of the ABC was already underway in this election.
He said the statement by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton that he wouldn’t support the ABC unless it meets his ‘excellence’ standards, was a direct attack on the independence of the ABC. “It was nothing less than a warning that he (Dutton) would neuter the independence of the ABC,” he said.
“Don’t be complacent (about the ABC) – don’t let them take it away from us.”
Communications Minister the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, said Opposition leader Peter Dutton had started the campaign threatening cuts to ABC funding, at the worst possible time.
“We need a strong ABC to sift through fact and fiction,” Rowland said.
The Albanese Government was committed to stabilising funding and supporting greater efficiency of the ABC. “I believe in a strong and independent ABC,’ she said. Late last year the government committed to additional ongoing funding for the ABC, and to legislate a five-year funding term, as demanded by ABC Friends.
It has also increased funding in the Indo Pacific and to help the ABC deal with vital emergency broadcasting during life-threatening events, which have increased from 191 events in 2020-21 to 659 events in 2023-24.
Minister Rowland said the government has made it clear that it stands with the ABC, and the ABC’s mission is now more important than ever.
Senator Sarah Hanson Young said it was important to be clear-eyed about this election. For years the Murdoch media has undermined people’s right to access a publicly funded and supported national broadcaster.
The last time the Coalition was in Government Tony Abbott said there would be no cuts to the ABC and SBS, but in the 2013 Budget they let loose the cultural wars attack on the public broadcaster, she said.
If the Liberals had their way this time they would put iView behind a paywall, the Senator warned.
The ABC doesn’t always get everything right, but when it is punched and punched so many times, it needs friends to strengthen its independence and deliver what the public needs.
“The ABC is our friend, we need to look after it and support it,” she said.
Thomas Mayo stressed the need for a strong public broadcaster to ensure that people are well informed and safe in emergencies. “At its best the ABC can report unapologetically on what’s going on,” he said.
ABC Alumni Chair, Jonathan Holmes, reminded the audience that the ABC has endured 15 so called ‘efficiency reviews’ since 2000. No one has yet calculated the cost of running so many reviews.
“I suggest to Peter Dutton that the best way to increase efficiency in the ABC is to stop holding efficiency reviews” Holmes said.
He said it was likely Dutton would make cuts first and review later.
In thanking the guest speakers ABC Friends national president, Cassandra Parkinson, said it was clear that the ABC is a pillar of our democracy which must be protected and its future guaranteed.
ABC Friends are campaigning for a strong vote for candidates who support a free and independent ABC at the election.
If you missed the rally, you can watch it here.