Coonan hits back at Labor ABC Funding Claims

Communications Minister, Helen Coonan, has defended the level of ABC funding and a review of how its money is spent.

Speaking in Parliament, Senator Coonan has described as irresponsible, calls by Opposition counterpart, Stephen Conroy, for the Government not to link any funding increases to an efficiency assessment.

“It is quite extraordinary and particularly from a party that presided over the largest cut in ABC funding.

“Senator Conroy should remember that the ABC’s current funding levels exceed those under the Labor Government prior to the 1996 election.

“The Government’s funding of the ABC has been maintained in real terms since 1997.”

The ABC was allocated $2.3 billion for the 2003-’06 triennium and received an additional $4.2 million a year in annual funding in the last Federal Budget to help meet higher programming costs.

The Federal Government, only last week, announced a review of funding for the ABC.

Helen Coonan said the Government will advertise a tender for consultants to look into whether the ABC’s funding is adequate.

She said the review has been set up in consultation with the ABC Board.

The announcement coincided with a call from ABC Managing Director, Russell Balding, for a new approach to funding negotiations.

Terms of reference for the inquiry have been released. Work by the consultants should begin within a few months, and recommendations for future ABC funding are likely to be provided to Senator Coonan by the end of the year.

The Minister said the inquiry will take into account services provided by the national broadcaster, the impact of new technologies and changing industry costs, and the state of national and international markets.

“The review will provide a rigorous assessment of how the ABC uses its funding and a sound basis for future consideration of the ABC’s funding needs.

“As the Government stated in its broadcasting election policy, any additional resources – identified as a result of this review – will be available to the ABC to use towards meeting its charter obligations.”

Russell Balding has warned the ABC will need more money when the Government draws up its next triennium funding deal.

He says the Corporation is seriously under threat and has called on the Government to break the pattern of cutting its funding.

He says operational funding has fallen 27% in real terms since 1985.

In response, the Federal Opposition bought in, saying any ABC funding review must be free from efficiency considerations.

“The ABC’s funding is nowhere near adequate to provide the range of services that Australians have come to expect from it.

“The lack of funding is threatening the ABC’s ability to fulfil the charter given to it by the Parliament.

“It is disturbing that the funding adequacy review, requested by the ABC Board, has been coupled with an efficiency review by the minister.

“Labor will closely scrutinise the review to ensure that it not just another excuse to undermine the effectiveness and independence of the ABC.”