Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Fifield, representing the Minister for Communications. Before last September's election, the then opposition, now government, guaranteed there would be no cuts to the ABC or SBS. Then came the cancellation of the $220 million Australia Network contract and the so-called $43 million down-payment cuts to the two broadcasters. All along the government has maintained there will be no programming cuts and that cutting back-office and admin functions would be sufficient. Does the government seriously expect us to believe that the cuts that now cumulatively amount to around nine per cent of the ABC's overall annual budget will not lead to cuts to programming?

Senator Bernardi interjecting—

Senator Bernardi says it is a good thing. If so, will the minister give the Senate a guarantee to this effect?