[Greens-Media] Greens Rally State Parliament Against Federal Cuts to ABC

[Franks, Office]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 20, 2014

Greens Rally State Parliament Against Federal Cuts to ABC

Greens MLC Tammy Franks will move a motion in the Legislative Council on December 3 condemning the Federal Government's cuts to the ABC and SBS and calling for the decision to be reversed.

Ms Franks gave notice in Parliament yesterday, less than an hour after Federal Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull tried to play down the $254 million in funding cuts to the ABC, saying the cuts amounted to 4.6 per cent of the ABC's budget.*

"South Australia's much-loved public broadcaster is under threat and we need to take action at every level to tell the Federal Government hands off our ABC," Ms Franks said.

"Only a day before the election Prime Minister Abbott made a promise to the Australian people that there would be no cuts to the ABC or SBS.

"Then, following the election, he made the curious comment that the ABC was on 'everyone's side but our own', in reference to his Government.

"In South Australia alone, we now know that $6 million will be sliced off radio and TV production budgets, and we know that this could directly impact on more than 150 local jobs and see state-based 7.30 editions axed, as well as cuts to Lateline and the scaling back of foreign bureaus.

"The Greens believe properly funding an independent public broadcaster should always be a priority. We urge all members to support this important motion and call on the Federal Government to reverse its decision to make cuts to the ABC and SBS," Ms Franks concluded.

*When you take into account the cancellation of the $220 million Australia Network contract, the cuts amount to about 9 per cent of the ABC's budget.

As part of the National Week of Action, a community BBQ organised by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance will be held at 85 North East Rd, Collinswood at 12.30pm today. More details: http://on.fb.me/1p1zohG.


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