Switch to Mitch and a gentle ABC chat with the new communications minister

Critics of the ABC have claimed there’s been a sycophantic change of tone from the national broadcaster towards the Government since Malcolm Turnbull became Prime Minister.

Dr Mumbo says this is nonsense. As this transcript of an encounter between new communications and arts minister Mitch Fifield and ABC Radio National’s Books & Arts presenter Michael Cathcart demonstrates.

CATHCART:
First up the arts are entering the post-Brandis era. Let’s meet the man who could shape that future and we’ll find out what this music means to him.
**Earth Wind and Fire’s “September” plays**
Victorian Senator Mitch Fifield is the new Minister for the Arts. Under Tony Abbott, Senator Fifield was Assistant Minister for Social Services and he had the important role of Manager of Government Business in the Senate and now he steps up as the Minister for Arts and Communications. So what are the passions, enthusiasms and ambitions that our new Minister brings to the job. And can he undo the anxieties and distress of so many people in the arts following the recent changes to arts funding? Senator, welcome to books and arts.

FIFIELD:
Good to be with you Michael.