This year’s budget has ignored the ABC, but there are opportunities within it to strengthen Australian public broadcasting if the Minister of Communications, Paul Fletcher is prepared to do his homework.
The Federal Government will create the National Recovery and Resilience Agency to provide support for disaster affected communities and to coordinate policy reform in managing climate emergencies.
Clearly, the ABC should be represented on this agency because of its role in providing essential emergency communication as demonstrated in the 2019/2020 bushfire crisis.
Furthermore, a share of the $170 million to strengthen internet and mobile coverage in regional Australia should include recognition of the need for the Federal Government to commit funds for upgrading TV and radio broadcast transmission infrastructure, which urgently needs attention in throughout the country.
