[Greens-Media] ABC van closure a blow to Tasmania

[Lamb, Alexandra (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 8 May 2013


ABC van closure a blow to Tasmania


The ABC has announced the closure of its outside broadcasting van, contributing to the further disadvantage Tasmania has suffered under regional TV cuts, Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne said in Hobart today.

"At the beginning of the year we heard the ABC was cutting its Tasmanian TV production unit in favour of commissioning local programs from independent producers," Senator Milne said.

"So, we have already lost an important production, training and mentoring hub for local talent, and now we are losing the capacity to quickly and easily cover local events, such as the football or Anzac Day ceremony.

"A few weeks ago the nation saw a lively Q&A program broadcast from Launceston. I'd love to see more coverage involving local voices but now that ABC Tasmania will have to get a van from Victoria for such programs I worry they will become rarer.

"It was clear at the Senate Inquiry in February that the ABC was under funding pressure and was cutting regional services to fund flagship projects like ABC24.

"The Greens have called for an increase in funding to the ABC to ensure voices from regional communities like Tasmania are still represented by the ABC, as per its charter."