It is deeply saddening to see yet another Liberal Federal
Govt. attacking and under funding OUR national broadcaster, the ABC. This is another short sighted attack, in a series, by every Liberal Govt. since John Howard and is
simply no longer acceptable.
In times of crisis, such as during this summer's national bushfire crisis, OUR national broadcaster comes into it’s own, providing invaluable and lifesaving information via it’s radio services, to those without mobile phone coverage.
When internet, mobile phone and other essential networks go down, often the only information getting through –particularly in rural and regional areas, is via – OUR national broadcaster.
Each and everyday OUR ABC is the only network Australians trust and ratings during both the catastrophic bushfire season of 2019 /20 as well as the on going COVID 19 pandemic reflect this.
However, our ABC is much more than a news and current affairs service. ABC Kids has, for decades entertained and educated generations of Australian children proving itself invaluable for those in disadvantaged circumstances, or living in rural isolation. For many, it begins a life long love of learning, for others, just simply exposing them to literacy and numeracy and slowing or stopping them falling behind before they've even started.
The ABC has also launched the careers of many Australian musicians, some who have gone onto international careers. The ABC has also produces world class: drama, comedy and documentaries. Which are now increasingly being on sold to commercial broadcasting services.
During the production process, these projects employ: writers, directors, producers, actors, musicians, set and costume designers, make up artists, camera and sound operators, sound production specialists, CGI technicians and many more individuals working contract to contract. These are very people contributing to the $111 Billion, arts and entertainment sector.
The people and industry completely and deliberately unsupported and abandoned by the Liberal coalition govt. during the Covid 19, national social distancing lock down.
We must also question, why, during the last 7 years of Liberal Coalition govt. as funding has been stripped from OUR ABC, Rupert Murdoch has received multiple payments of around $30million for HIS Foxtel. This is money from our tax revenue, being given – not loaned, to a commercial enterprise and foreign national. The word ‘rort’ springs to mind. I as a taxpayer am utterly disgusted and angry.
It is quite clear that, successive Liberal Party Govt. unable to directly interfere with OUR 'Aunty', are aggressively attempting to cripple this wonderful Australian institution, for which so many are dependent – the voice of Australia, an institution uniquely Australian.
To use the excuse that ‘I don’t watch / use the ABC’ so I shouldn’t have to pay for it’ is ridiculous. I don’t have children of school age; therefore we aren’t using Australian schools. Nor does any of this household receive pension payments; however, our taxes contribute to these, absolutely essential services.
It couldn’t be clearer. The constant attacking and crippling of OUR national broadcaster is purely political. It is ideological, short sighted and vindictive.
It’s time OUR ABC and SBS were properly funded, with the amount set in legislation as a percentage of GDP, rather than being set and interfered with by whatever govt. is in power at any given time.
In times of crisis, such as during this summer's national bushfire crisis, OUR national broadcaster comes into it’s own, providing invaluable and lifesaving information via it’s radio services, to those without mobile phone coverage.
When internet, mobile phone and other essential networks go down, often the only information getting through –particularly in rural and regional areas, is via – OUR national broadcaster.
Each and everyday OUR ABC is the only network Australians trust and ratings during both the catastrophic bushfire season of 2019 /20 as well as the on going COVID 19 pandemic reflect this.
However, our ABC is much more than a news and current affairs service. ABC Kids has, for decades entertained and educated generations of Australian children proving itself invaluable for those in disadvantaged circumstances, or living in rural isolation. For many, it begins a life long love of learning, for others, just simply exposing them to literacy and numeracy and slowing or stopping them falling behind before they've even started.
The ABC has also launched the careers of many Australian musicians, some who have gone onto international careers. The ABC has also produces world class: drama, comedy and documentaries. Which are now increasingly being on sold to commercial broadcasting services.
During the production process, these projects employ: writers, directors, producers, actors, musicians, set and costume designers, make up artists, camera and sound operators, sound production specialists, CGI technicians and many more individuals working contract to contract. These are very people contributing to the $111 Billion, arts and entertainment sector.
The people and industry completely and deliberately unsupported and abandoned by the Liberal coalition govt. during the Covid 19, national social distancing lock down.
We must also question, why, during the last 7 years of Liberal Coalition govt. as funding has been stripped from OUR ABC, Rupert Murdoch has received multiple payments of around $30million for HIS Foxtel. This is money from our tax revenue, being given – not loaned, to a commercial enterprise and foreign national. The word ‘rort’ springs to mind. I as a taxpayer am utterly disgusted and angry.
It is quite clear that, successive Liberal Party Govt. unable to directly interfere with OUR 'Aunty', are aggressively attempting to cripple this wonderful Australian institution, for which so many are dependent – the voice of Australia, an institution uniquely Australian.
To use the excuse that ‘I don’t watch / use the ABC’ so I shouldn’t have to pay for it’ is ridiculous. I don’t have children of school age; therefore we aren’t using Australian schools. Nor does any of this household receive pension payments; however, our taxes contribute to these, absolutely essential services.
It couldn’t be clearer. The constant attacking and crippling of OUR national broadcaster is purely political. It is ideological, short sighted and vindictive.
It’s time OUR ABC and SBS were properly funded, with the amount set in legislation as a percentage of GDP, rather than being set and interfered with by whatever govt. is in power at any given time.
OUR national broadcaster, the ABC is an
essential public service and it is OUR national broadcaster – not that of which
ever flavor of Government is in power at the time and must continue and be properly
funded so, for as long as Australia survives as a nation.
News links:
Ita Buttrose rejects Scott Morrison's claims the ABC's budget has not been cut Saturday 27th June 2020
Ita Buttrose rejects Scott Morrison's claims the ABC's budget has not been cut Saturday 27th June 2020
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