ABC Australia to See Budget Cuts of A$84 Million

Funding for Australia’s ABC is being cut by A$84 million ($62.7 million) over three years.

The government’s decision to freeze the ABC’s indexation from July 2019 comes on top of a cumulative A$254 million in cuts imposed since 2014.

Michelle Guthrie, ABC’s managing director, said the impact of the decision could not be absorbed by efficiency measures alone, as the ABC had already achieved “significant productivity gains” in response to past budget cuts.

“The ABC is now more important than ever given the impact of overseas players in the local media industry and the critical role the ABC plays as Australia’s most trusted source of news, analysis and investigative journalism,” Guthrie said.

“Our talented and dedicated content makers consistently deliver award-winning public interest journalism, regional services and critically acclaimed original Australian programs and content.

“Stable, adequate funding is essential if we are to continue to deliver for Australian audiences.”

The ABC has said that it will continue to negotiate its funding requirements with the government.