Budget 2022: ABC regains Coalition’s funding cut; SBS misses the round
The 2022 federal budget has given the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) $83.7 million over four years, restoring its loss of funding outlined by the former Coalition government. However, no new budget is proposed for Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).
The ABC is set to receive $21.4 million between 2022-23 and $20.9 million in each of the three subsequent financial years.
The Labor Government will also introduce 5-year funding terms for both public service broadcasters from 1 July 2023. This will replace the current 3-year agreement and could provide the broadcasters with more flexibility in developing long-term strategies.
The ABC has taken measures such as discontinuing the ABC Life brand and rehousing it in ABC Local in 2020 to make up for the budget shortfall.
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) chief executive Erin Madeley said this change in the funding cycle is significant in providing certainties for both broadcasters.
“For ABC audiences and the public to enjoy the maximum benefit and value from this renewed investment, money needs to be spent on the people who produce ABC news and entertainment content.”
Additionally, this federal budget has allocated $0.5 million for a feasibility study into the expansion of Double J to FM frequencies.
It has also promised $1 million over two years from 2022-23 for a feasibility study into relocating SBS from Artarmon to Western Sydney. This comes after ABC signed heads of agreement for its Parramatta office in July, while SBS is stuck in appeals from the north shore and Western Sydney councils who are battling to house the broadcaster.
On the Foreign and Trades front, the Government will also provide $32 million over four years to expand the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s regional transmission in the Pacific.
Other broadcast initiatives include providing $31 million over four years to support local news and community broadcasting. This includes $15 million for the Regional and Local Newspaper Publishers program to support eligible print publishers, to absorb newsprint price increases, and $12 million for the community broadcasting sector.
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Darcy Song was a reporter at Mumbrella, covering media owners, adtech and social platforms. She left in October 2023.
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