Kim Williams calls ABC budget inadequate: ‘As our nation has become richer, our nation’s broadcaster has become much poorer’
ABC chair Kim Williams has argued the national broadcaster needs more funding, arguing “the budget allocation has not kept pace with rising costs”.
Williams used his first National Press Club address in more than a decade to argue the ABC needs “attention and care” in the current media climate, saying without the broadcaster, “the Australian media would be in a severe situation”.
After pointing out the ABC’s operating revenue from government has fallen by 13.7% – an annual reduction of $150 million – over the past decade, Williams derided those who think the ABC’s annual budget of over a billion dollars is sufficient, saying the budget allocation “has not kept pace with rising costs”.
Yes, the ABC has indeed become much poorer. Dropping Sarah MacDonald and Simon Marnie has lost it thousands of loyal listeners. You deserve all the approbrium that is being heaped upon you. A very sad time in your history.