Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The ABC's decision to terminate the broadcast of the Women's National Basketball League, along with other women's sporting competition such as women's soccer is very disappointing. However, it has nothing whatsoever to do with the government's efficiency dividend. I regret the fairly poor contribution by the member for Bendigo, who has not made any attribution of the quote that she put into the parliament. She should table the quote, because the ABC has in fact made it quite clear that the programming decisions it has made have nothing to do with the efficiency dividend and everything to do with the ABC's independent editorial program making. That is not to say that we agree with the decision; I certainly do not agree with it. But it is very clear that the ABC's decisions, whether it be in relation to the axing of Bush Telegraph, which is a terrible decision; the axing of the state editions of 7.30, very disappointing; the closure of foreign bureaus; and even the threatened axing of Lateline are all editorial decisions of the ABC. Had the member for Bendigo done some basic research she would know that this has been put forward in evidence before Senate estimates.

The ABC, in respect of women's sport, has made clear on many occasions, including to a Labor senator in estimates on 1 December 2014, that it was moving to a new strategy unrelated to the government's efficiency study with regard to sports programming, and women's sports programming in particular. To the member for Bendigo I say that it is very regrettable that she has, essentially, put forward a very dishonest contribution today. Senator Singh asked the Managing Director of the ABC, Mr Scott, about the conclusion and termination of broadcasting of the WNBL. In reply, Mr Scott said:

What we are trying to do is to focus our sport investment … We will be looking to cover women's sport, but particularly national women's sport rather than local competitions.

It is called the green and gold strategy, Mr Finlayson, the ABC's Director Television, said.

Ms Ryan interjecting—

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