Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

triple j has stated, 'We all agreed that the Hottest 100 shouldn't be part of a debate about the day it's on.' Yet, by their very actions, triple j and the ABC have inserted themselves as participants at the very centre of this debate. The ABC and triple j should not be putting themselves in a position where their programming decisions are seen as making loud political statements. triple j has pointed to two surveys that they conducted of their listeners, but the ABC and triple j have a broader responsibility than to just one market segment. They have a broader responsibility to the entire Australian people who render in excess of $1 billion a year to the organisation. Poll after poll demonstrates public support for Australia Day as 26 January. The ABC should respect that.