ABC sources expect more program cuts ahead as the result of the 2003 Federal Budget, which did not grant the increases the ABC said were necessary to continue its full range of services.

Some ABC insiders blame management for over-stretching scarce resources to implement new services and are pushing for cuts to new initiatives rather than seeing the axe fall on core services and ‘flagship programs.’

Others blame the government for not recognizing the benefits that the ABC’s new initiatives could deliver in the long term with more money.

In television, various programs such as Foreign Correspondent are said to be for the chop, while in radio there is a staff freeze, preventing the filling of many positions if they become vacant.

The Friends of the ABC organisation says ABC funding, on a real dollar per capita basis, has fallen 20% under this Coalition Government, “out of proportion to any other major area of government expenditure.”

Any cuts would have to be approved by the ABC Board, which is currently being lobbied heavily by the various factional interests.