Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

The government cannot direct the ABC what to do with their funding. ABC and SBS management know very well, following the completion of the efficiency process, that they can improve their operations without compromising programming. I think you would know that, if the ABC want to make programming decisions to adjust to viewing and listening trends, to respond to the media cycle, to ensure that they are not overservicing an audience in a particular drama or to shift their resources to target online or mobile content, that is a choice for them. I do not think any of us on this side really believe that ABC programming is set in concrete forever and will never be altered. Of course ABC programming changes; it is always changing. That is a decision for management to ensure that they are honouring the ABC charter, and the taxpayers are giving very generously to the ABC and SBS to see that they can fulfil their obligations. (Time expired)