ABC must stay in public hands, says Sheed

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed says it is essential the Australian Broadcasting Commission remains in public hands.

In response to a recent resolution by the federal Liberal Party Council to privatise the public broadcaster, Ms Sheed said the ABC was a vital source of information for the Australian public and should not be sold off to the highest bidder.

Ms Sheed said while the ABC’s funding was a federal matter, she said she was pleased to speak in defence of the service and lend her voice to the call for it to remain a publicly funded broadcaster.

“When it comes to keeping country communities informed, the ABC plays such a critical role,” Ms Sheed said.

“As a public broadcaster, it has an obligation to provide news and documentary services to all Australians that commercial enterprises do not, and for people in regional areas it is often the main – if not only – source of daily news.

“We’ve already seen declining regional news offerings with cost-cutting and consolidation in the private television and radio sector and the closure of ABC’s important short-wave Radio Australia service.  

“Further dismantling of the ABC would only intensify the city-country divide and we cannot allow this to occur.”

The issue was raised in the Victorian Parliament this week with the State Government moving a motion that the Legislative Assembly agree to never support the privatisation of the ABC and demand the Turnbull Liberal Government reverse its $83m cut to the service.

ENDS

Media contact

Riahn Smith 0419 138 978│riahn.smith@parliament.vic.gov.au

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