2022-05-16
The vast majority of voters believe stable funding should be set in law, new polling commissioned by the Australian Greens shows.
Only nine per cent of voters oppose ABC funding being in law.
In balance of power, the Greens will push for funding to the ABC to be legislated and out of the hands of politicians and the minister of the day.
The poll by Lonergan surveyed 1017 South Australian voters between the 11th and 13th of May 2022.
Greens communications and media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
"ABC funding shouldn't be in the hands of politicians. It shouldn't be up to politicians or the minister whether the ABC is properly funded or not.
"Minister Fletcher argues he doesn't want the ABC to be idealogical yet it is he who dictates how much funding they get. If the Minister was truly committed to an independent ABC, he would stop controlling the purse strings and drop the threat of further funding cuts.
“Australian voters are true friends of the ABC and want to see its future secured in law. They know the Liberal-Nationals have relentlessly attacked the public broadcaster and they want it to stop.
“The Communication Minister’s suggestion the ABC platforms ‘a particular ideology or political position’ is fake news. The ABC is Australia’s most trusted news source and with good reason. The Morrison Government just cannot stand being held to account through public interest journalism.
“It is no coincidence Scott Morrison has refused to appear on ABC 730 or debate the opposition leader on the public broadcaster.
“The attacks on the ABC must end this Saturday. In balance of power, the Greens will move to restore all funding to the ABC and legislate five-year funding cycles, to ensure stability and recover lost jobs.
“The Greens will fight to ensure the independence of the ABC is upheld so that our national broadcaster can continue to provide Australians all across the country with critical emergency information, independent journalism and quality Australian content.
“The ABC plays a critical role in our country, and should not be subject to political interference - and voters agree.”