Stirling Griff (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Hume, representing the minister for communications. Two days ago, the government announced that it would increase funding to the ABC, restore indexation and continue funding the Enhanced Newsgathering program for an additional three years. That program, which sits outside of the ABC's base funding, allows the ABC to employ journalists in regional Australia, particularly in areas which would otherwise go without local news. More than 70 people are currently employed by this program, and the continued funding shows that the government believes it provides value for money. Could the minister explain why the government decided to keep the Enhanced Newsgathering funding outside of ABC's base funding?