Dr Rhonda Jolly
This Budget delivers $2.1 billion in base funding for the
Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) over three years from
2009–10 and $362.6 million for the same period for the
Special Broadcasting Service Corporation (SBS). This funding does
not represent an increase in real base funding from that provided
to both broadcasters under the previous Government.[1]
This Budget has, however, provided funding for the public
broadcasters which is in addition to the base funding allocation.
The ABC is to receive a further $150 million over three years from
2009–10. The Government intends this funding to assist the
ABC in establishing a digital children's channel. The funding is
also to enable the ABC to increase the level of Australian drama
content.[2] The ABC
will also receive $15.3 million over three years under the Rural
and Regional National Broadband Network Initiative to deliver more
than 50 enhanced ABC broadband hubs in regional Australia. The
Government considers the latter funding will ‘help establish
community websites and portals and create “virtual town
squares” for communities to share experiences’.[3]
The supplementary funding for these initiatives, according to
the ABC, represents the biggest increase for the ABC since its
incorporation in 1983, and an excellent outcome, given the tough
economic times.[4]
The funding was not unexpected, however, as the Government
indicated in its response to the 2020 Summit that it was committed
to a dedicated children’s television channel and that it was
open to the consideration of ideas about increasing the national
broadcaster’s capacity to deliver distinctive Australian
content into the future.[5]
The multicultural broadcaster, SBS, will receive an additional
$20 million over three years. The Government intends that this
will increase local content by an additional 50 hours per annum
from 2011–12. But this funding is less than the $70 million
the multicultural broadcaster had sought. In response
to the Budget, SBS Managing Director Shaun Brown considered that
after ‘years of financial neglect’ the extra funding
was most likely not enough to allow the broadcaster ‘to
continue to deliver the services Australian audiences expect and
deserve’.[6]
Academic Jock Given considers that this Budget is a ‘clear
sign’ that there is a new Government dealing with the public
broadcasters. He argues that after a number of beleaguered years in
the funding wilderness, their moment to receive more funding has
come. [7] This view
may be a little optimistic but at the same time, it may be, as
Given notes, not a bad time to be a media organisation that
receives most of its money from the Government.[8]
[1].
Funding for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (including only
Commonwealth operating revenue) in 2006–07 was $683.8 million
and for the Special Broadcasting Corporation (including only
Commonwealth operating revenue) in 2006–07 was $182 million.
See also R Jolly, Funding of the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation, E-brief, November 2006, Parliamentary Library,
Canberra, 2006, viewed 20 May 2009,
http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/SP/fundingabc.htm
and R Jolly, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS): operations and
funding, E-brief, March 2007, Parliamentary Library, Canberra,
2007, viewed 20 May 2009, http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/SP/SBS.htm
[2].
Australian Government, Portfolio budget statements
2009–10: budget related paper no. 1.3: Broadband,
Communications and the Digital Economy Portfolio, Commonwealth
of Australia, Canberra, 2008, p. 74.
[3].
S Conroy (Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital
Economy), quoted in ABC gets record funding boost,
ABCNews website, 13 May 2009, viewed 15 May 2009, http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/12/2568513.htm
[4].
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), ABC funding boost
2009–12, media release, ABC, 12 May 2009, viewed 15 May
2009, http://www.abc.net.au/corp/pubs/media/s2568522.htm
[5].
Australian Government, Responding to the Australia 2020
Summit, Chapter 8 ‘Towards a creative Australia’,
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Canberra, 2009, viewed 15
May 2009,
http://www.australia2020.gov.au/docs/government_response/2020_summit_response_8_creative.pdf
[6].
D Knox, SBS: ‘We will significantly scale back’
future plans, TVtonight website, 12 May 2009, viewed 15 May
2009,
http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2009/05/sbs-we-will-significantly-scale-back-future-plans.html
[7].
J Given, ‘The moment has come for Australia's beleaguered
public broadcasters’, Special Budget edition, Crikey
newsletter, 12 May 2009.
[8].
J Given.