Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A couple of weeks ago, a small number of passionate constituents presented me with a petition to protect our ABC. This computer-generated petition tells me that 669 unnamed constituents want me to know that they love the ABC. I promised the group that I would mention their love in this chamber. Well, they can sign me up as the 670th constituent in my electorate who loves the ABC. Like many Australians, especially those in rural areas, I grew up with ABC programs, including Play School, Bellbird, Countdown and, one of my all-time favourites, Catweazel.

In Alice Springs, the ABC was the only source of television until Imparja began in the 1980s. Like my coalition colleagues, I understand the significant relationship that the national broadcaster has with the Australian public. We are committed to maintaining the quality, the performance and the efficiency of both the ABC and the SBS. ABC and SBS receive nearly $1.4 billion a year from the Australian government, and the national broadcaster's efficiency study will ensure that taxpayers' funds are used as efficiently as possible, now and into the future.