Janelle Saffin (Page, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The honourable member for Wentworth has said words to that effect. I was maybe putting it more eloquently than the honourable member might have. But it was only last week that the honourable member for Wentworth was refusing to rule out slashing the budgets of the national broadcasters under a coalition government. When it comes to the national broadcasters—

An honourable member interjecting—

yes, I tell you, yes—the coalition cannot be trusted. A friend would be saying: 'Funding won't be slashed. Funding is secure, and I agree to no efficiency dividend.'

But this new funding that I have talked about ensures that the ABC and SBS can continue to build on the extensive range of services they provide to their audiences, especially the growing demand for their innovative digital services. The national broadcasters provide a range of programs, news and information across television, radio and digital platforms accessed by millions of Australians every day. In a changing media environment they are more important than ever as a source of news and current affairs, local content and telling stories.

I have seen a quote from the honourable member for Wentworth, which reads as follows:

But if there is a broader austerity of some kind across the board then all departments may have to bear some of the pain.

I repeat: there is no efficiency dividend. My question is, Minister: would you like to— (Time expired)

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