The Prime Minister says it is a matter of national security that the ABC makes more content that projects Australian values and interests to the Indo-Pacific region.
Key points:
- Mr Albanese addressed the crowd at the ABC’s 90th anniversary celebration in Sydney
- He described the ABC as a “beacon of trust”
- I have reaffirmed Labor’s previous funding commitments
Anthony Albanese delivered an address at the ABC in Sydney on Friday night to celebrate the broadcaster’s 90th anniversary.
The event was attended by ABC Chair Ita Buttrose, Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland, Opposition spokesperson for communications Sarah Henderson and award-winning actor David Wenham.
Current and former ABC luminaries were also in attendance, including former host of 7.30 Kerry O’Brien and former host of Lateline and parliamentary secretary Maxine McKew.
The PM stressed the importance of a strong Australian voice in the Pacific in order to keep other influences out.
“When the ABC voice was removed from the Pacific, guess what nation moved in? Simple as that, a major mistake of foreign policy.”
He said Australia’s “identity, values and interests” must be projected to the Pacific.
“On top of every other consideration, it is a prudent investment in our national security as well as our national interest.
“[This] was undervalued by the previous government, even trivialized. That was a mistake.”
Mr Albanese reaffirmed his government’s commitment to an Indo-Pacific broadcasting strategy, which increases ABC International funding so Australian content can be boosted in the region.
Since taking office in May, Mr Albanese has vowed to counter China’s rising assertiveness in the Pacific region and restore Australia as the partner of choice.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has already made four trips to the Pacific, and both she and Mr Albanese have met with the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, who signed a security pact with China in April.
Mr Albanese reiterated previous promises to restore $83.7 million in funding to the ABC, as well as five-year funding terms and options for financial sustainability which safeguard against political interference.
He appeared to aim at the former Morrison government, saying no government should ever fear the ABC “unless it fears the truth.”
“A government that chooses to attack a public broadcaster [is] motivated by either ideology or fear — or a toxic cocktail of the two,” he said.
“A government confident of its own ideas and principles should embrace independent questioning as crucial to the democracy it purports to uphold.”
He described the ABC as a “beacon of trust” and an “insurance policy” against misinformation and disinformation.
The organisation, he said, would play an important role in the discussions about an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
He also made a small jibe at ABC critics who claim the broadcaster is too focused on “inner-city elites.”
“We’ve all heard the mantras about the ABC as a haven of inner-city elites, repeated with straight faces by critics based in our inner cities.
“I hope those commentators take note of the 48 regional ABC bureaus spread in a great constellation across the country, and the continued existence of Landline.”
Ms Buttrose, who once described the broadcaster’s relationship with the Morrison government as “strained”, implored Mr Albanese to keep defending the ABC even if that meant intense pressure on his government.
“Prime Minister, I have no doubt that our brilliant journalists will occasionally irritate your government. Let us all be grateful for it,” she said.
“This process strengthens the Australian democracy we all love.”
Ms Buttrose, who paid special tribute to the ABC’s focus on arts and culture, hit back at critics who have suggested the broadcaster does not represent “mainstream” Australians.
“Can you be any more mainstream than reaching 20 million Australians each week? I don’t think so,” she said.
ABC managing director David Anderson said the government’s commitment to the ABC was “reassuring” and public broadcasters should never be taken for granted.
“We will continue to hold the highest editorial standards and remain fully accountable to the Australian people,” he said.
“As global giants offer more news and entertainment choices, and commercial investment in Australian content declines, the ABC will need to play an even bigger role in sharing and promoting Australian stories and culture.”
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