Footnote to ABC Budget news

There is a crucial footnote to the reports about ABC funding “cuts” in the Federal Budget.

Whilst the government is indeed pausing indexation, resulting in $83.7 million less than the ABC expected to receive, there is new information surrounding a halt to News & Current Affairs funds.

Despite reports from ABC head of news Gaven Morris that the government had chosen to stop funding a separate, additional $43 million News Enhancement Budget, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield later denied this was the case. It’s understood the ABC believed, based on conversations with the government, the funding would not be continued after its 2019 expiry.

If true, that’s a very big assumption.

ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie told staff she had “now been advised that no decision had been made around that funding” and conversations would continue with the government for the funds, with the potential to re-bid still on the table.

Source: Fairfax