Federal treasurer Scott Morrison's 2018 budget has revealed the nation's taxpayer-funded broadcaster, the ABC, will have its funding frozen, amounting to an $83 million cut over the next three years.
ABC funding to be cut by $83m over next 3 years. Punitive. Money redirected within Comms portfolio and “budget repair”. Expect more ABC jobs to go. https://t.co/8yd9Utm6OV
"We've all got to live within our means, even the ABC," Morrison said.
The government will pause the ABC's operational funding until 2022, maintaining the corporation's base operational funding at 2018-2019 levels.
In 2014, then communications minister (and now prime minister) Malcolm Turnbull announced the ABC's funding would be cut by $254 million over five years. In 2016, it faced further cuts of $20 million to its reporting and digital services.
In a press release ABC head of communications Nick Leys said the decision to freeze the broadcaster's indexation from July 2019 came at a "critical time".
"The ABC’s independence and its commitment to in-depth analysis and commentary has never been more valued or trusted by Australian audiences, nor so critical to the challenges facing the nation," he said.
The ABC's managing director Michelle Guthrie said the ABC was "now more important than ever" given the introduction of international players in the local media industry.
"Our talented and dedicated content makers consistently deliver award-winning public interest journalism, regional services and critically acclaimed original Australian programs and content," she said.
"Stable, adequate funding is essential if we are to continue to deliver for Australian audiences."
Many online were quick to decry the cuts.
Bad news for public interest journalism. The government is freezing the ABC’s indexation from July 2019, costing the broadcaster $84 million over three years: https://t.co/hvy9kFQKwg
The ABC cuts in this budget are disgusting #Budget2018
not cuts to the ABC again! #keepmytendollars and give it to my aunty #politas https://t.co/zkrQVIzzCn
Remember when Abbott says d no cuts to SBS or the ABC. #BUDGET2018
This Government really is determined to destroy the ABC https://t.co/aXnCPjgK91
Is the ABC allowed to take donations? They can have my $10 #Budget18
Among the losers of tonight’s budget: the ABC. Why have we decided quality journalism is no longer important? It makes governments accountable.
Later, Guthrie announced an all-ABC staff meeting on Wednesday, saying in an internal email that she was "very disappointed and concerned".
Michelle Guthrie has emailed all ABC staff saying she’s “disappointed and concerned” their funding has been cut in #Budget2018. An all staff meeting has been called for Wednesday. https://t.co/14OqQygMnV