The Shadow Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, says Labor has committed to reversing the Liberals’ $83.7 million cut to the ABC, as well as guaranteeing stable funding over the next budget cycle.

Labor says a question mark continues to hang over the Enhanced Newsgathering Program funding for the ABC which was introduced by Labor in 2013, then cut back by the Liberals.

Funding runs out in only a few months and the Minister has not confirmed whether it will be continued.
 

Comment from Peter Saxon

David Anderson is this afternoon appearing before the Senate, Environment and Communications References Committee into allegations of political interference in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The Committee has also grilled other ABC staff regarding interference from former Chairman Justin Milne.

Cath Dwyer, the Manager of RN, Radio and Radio Australia has told the digital radio workshop at DBS Kuala Lumpur that Australia’s national broadcaster is committed to DAB+ transmission as part of its multiplatform strategy.

“The ABC is a trusted and well listened to public broadcaster in Australia. We host big national conversations such as the ‘War on Waste’ or the upcoming elections in our country.

“We have been broadcasting in the Asia Pacific for 80 years,” she said.

Comment from Peter Saxon

The ABC and Michelle Guthrie have reached a settlement in an unfair dismissal case brought by the former managing director.

The government has named Ita Buttrose as the new ABC Chair.

Federal Cabinet met in Sydney yesterday, and approved the appointment for the next five years, then the decision went through an approval process, consulting the opposition and taking it to the governor general for assent.

Recruitment company Korn Ferry was commisssioned by the government to compile a short list, but Buttrose's name was not on it.

BREAKING: The Australian is reporting that senior government sources confirmed cabinet had chosen Ita Buttrose as the ABC’s next chair.

The 21st Annual ABC Heywire Regional Youth Summit kicks off this Sunday.

In an open letter endorsed by almost 100 former promintent ABC Staff including Kerry O’Brien, Jeff McMullen and David Hill, the ABC Alumni have urged Prime Minister Scott Morrison to not appoint a biased ABC Chair.

The text of the letter is below.

 

The Federal Government must not rush to appoint a new ABC Chair, especially one who has displayed bias against the national broadcaster’s comprehensive role in Australian society.