Rudd rejected advice for Australia Network contract
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd rejected plans to allow the ABC to operate Australia Network despite a government review that endorsed them.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
The outcome of the $223 million Australia Network tender is looming as a major headache for the Gillard government, now more than a month beyond its deadline.
At the centre of the issue is Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, who rejected plans to allow the ABC to operate the broadcaster, despite a government review that endorsed the ABC.
The Age has obtained a copy of the review that says the ABC ”consistently met or exceeded” the performance markers set out in the existing contract.
But Rudd put the service out to tender in February allowing SKY News to bid.
Two separate independent reports have since recommended SKY News take over the service but some cabinet handied final approval to Communication Minister Stephen Conroy.
Now the government is caught in between cabinet ministers, understood to not wanting to award the contract to SKY News, part owned by Murdoch, and the recommendations of independent reports.
9 Responses
Last thing we need is another pay tv network – the current ones aren’t even affordable.
Who has Sky, other people in the media and uber rich people.
I think Sky, via News Ltd papers, have done enough leaking on their own.
Giving it to Sky would be a big mistake. The ABC are the best broadcaster in this country. The only reason News Ltd etc want the tender is to kill-off public broadcasting in this country.
Yeah lets just give it to the guys that make TT, ACA and The Australian. That will be respectable. Also, I would like to put my private parts in a vice.
Unlike other articles on this subject, I now refuse to waste my time responding to people like Billy c who just don’t have a clue…
Billy C – That’s highly unfair. Sky is owned equally by 7, 9 and BSkyB. The latter is one of the few that have been leading the charge against NOTW and those engaged in similar practice.
Whether Sky AU is fit to run the Network is absolutely separate to any issues one might have against NOTW or the Murdochs.
Yeah let’s give it to the guys who hacked the phone of a murdered child. That sounds like a smart plan.
Maybe he wants a job there after politics?
Roving reporter, spends his time at the pointy end of places. Just in case the UN job does not come off
So the ABC is leaking to The Age, trying to obfuscate on the result, twice confirmed, that Sky News would be the better provider. What a joke.
More screw ups? Big surprise.