Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Hanson-Young. Like everyone, at least on this side of the chamber, I am a very strong supporter of the ABC. I should actually disclose that I am the patron of the friends of the ABC in Queensland. So I've got a very personal interest in supporting that as well, and I catch up with them at least once a year to declare my support. I might say that the thing that, over the last two or three years, the Queensland branch of the friends of the ABC used to enjoy most when I went to their AGMs was me making sure that they knew that the Albanese government was going to reverse the former coalition government's funding cuts to the ABC, which we did.

But, Senator Hanson-Young, this is obviously a very difficult time for any individual whose role may be impacted by the changes that were announced yesterday. The fact is, though, that the ABC does have operational independence and it is a matter for ABC management to determine how to structure the organisation within their funding envelope to meet the changing needs of audiences. The ABC, like many media organisations, faces significant challenges in today's media environment, with new technologies changing how their work is conducted, while still delivering on their legislated obligations.

Minister Rowland has requested a briefing from ABC management with regard to the ABC Five-Year Plan and the announcement that was made this week. Over the ABC's five-year funding term under the Albanese government, the ABC will receive $6 billion in funding. The ABC remains accountable to the parliament for its use of taxpayer funds through a range of accountability mechanisms, including annual reports, corporate plans, financial and performance audits and appearances before parliamentary committees. I think all of us have an interest—or at least half of the room has an interest—in a strong ABC, and we continue to support it. That's exactly why we took the budgetary decisions that we did. (Time expired)