The ABC’s Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy is a wonderful ambassador for the ABC and Australia.

Since its launch in 2022 the ABC has expanded Australia’s media reach in the region, deepened audience engagement and supported local media capacity across the Indo-Pacific. 

At a time of budget restraint ABC Friends was deeply concerned that this important program might not survive. We lobbied the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, arguing that if the program ceased, the damage to the ABC and to the government’s diplomatic presence in the region would be incalculable.

So it was a relief to learn on budget night that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had renewed funding.

Thank you to our supporters who wrote to Minister Penny Wong and Minister Anika Wells, urging that the program be continued. 

But it’s not all good news.

In a budget that has seen massive cuts to many portfolios, the program has only been continued for two years and funding has been reduced from $8 million to $7 million per year. The ABC has not yet advised how it will manage the reduction, but a cut of 12% will have an impact.

The decision to renew the program for only two years will create uncertainty for program participants and add to the costs of administration. It flies in the face of the government’s commitment to fund the ABC on a five year basis to help our public broadcaster properly plan.

ABC Friends’ task is to persuade the government that the program should be integrated into the ABC’s operating grant with funding secured into the future. And we will continue to push for better funding.

“At a time of immense global upheaval, it is critical that our government maintain and strengthen relationships with our neighbours in the region. The ABC  plays a unique role in helping the government achieve that goal,” said ABC Friends President, Cassandra Parkinson.