ABC Staff Member
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Dear Sir / Madam
Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission about the future of one of Australia's most important cultural institutions...the ABC.
I want my ABC to be properly funded so that:
It is able to broadcast and produce quality, innovative and imaginative programs.
It is able to make effective use of its archives and 'back catalogue' to become a major partner in the education revolution
It is independent and not reliant on commercial activities to supplement its funding
Provides reliable information, news and current affairs
It supports and showcases quality Australian drama and documentaries
I am a strong supporter of the public national broadcaster. I am concerned however that the ABC has not delivered its full potential over the past decade.
Specialist TV units such as the Natural History Unit have been closed, there have been more repeats, and there has been a decline in the quality of programs.
The ABC has an important role in building national cohesion. This is achieved by telling stories that reflect Australia's diversity.
The ABC has not adequately supported local production over the past decade.
As the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, I believe it has a responsibility to be a sanctuary for local content. I believe that this need is more acute given the call by commercial networks to relax the current local content rules.
I am concerned that without increased funding for the ABC, the Australian media will swamped by foreign imports.
The ABC has also reduced its commitment to documentaries, and especially longer form documentaries that appear to have been replaced by lifestyle and reality programs.
I want the ABC to be the natural home for quality documentaries.
The duty imposed by the ABC Charter to entertain, educate and inform has created conflicts in its schedules that can now resolved through digital multi-channelling.
I want an ABC that allows me to choose between light entertainment, well researched documentaries, sport, news and current affairs on TV in the same way I can choose between Classic FM, Radio National, local and regional radio or the Js.
I also want the ability to download these programs and listen to them or view them at a time that suits me. These new possibilities however will not be realised if we do not fund our national broadcaster.
Australia is making a huge investment in the new digital technologies, such as high speed broadband. An equal investment must be made in the programs and content: if we are to realise the potential of this huge investment.
I want choice, but that choice is not measured simply in the number of stations that are available: it must be a choice between quality radio, TV and on-line programs.
The choice should be from the best programming available, and that means rebuilding the specialist program making centres of the ABC that have suffered from funding cuts and outsourcing.
My ABC is important to me. I urge the federal government to properly fund the ABC so that it an meet the challenges not just of the next triennium, but into the digital future.
