Letters

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Letters

Write to Politicians, the ABC Board, Management

Use, Modify, or Write your own — but write, because all positive action makes a difference.

If you want to maintain an independent public broadcaster, then you must Speak Up.

Overwhelming public support in 1996 prevented the Mansfield Review from doing 'the job' on the ABC it was established to do. Many actions have influenced decision-makers since; remember the pre-Budget Vigil in 2006?

Contact:		Contact:
	James Spigelman AC QC Chairman ABC Board GPO Box 9994 Sydney NSW 2001		The Hon Julia Gillard, MP Prime Minister Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600

(don't forget your own address or email address)

In your own words, let decision-makers know :

Your appreciation of what the ABC brings to your life—through television, radio and online—is passionate.
Your immovable belief that the ABC belongs to the people of Australia; that it must be well-resourced to be an independent, comprehensive and innovative broadcaster; and that it must maintain its high standard of news, current affairs, and quality Australian drama.
Your commitment to the principle that independence can only be guaranteed if the ABC is fully funded by government.
Your conviction, that ABC independence must not be compromised by government intervention or risked through advertising, sponsorship or commercial deals.

Your understanding that further, additional funds are required for the ABC to operate in the digital environment, which must be provided without strings attached.

Either:

Or:

Seek the Chairman's assurance that he will ensure the ABC flourishes as Australia's truly independent national public broadcaster—independent of government influence and uncompromised by commercial activities.

Seek the PM's assurance that government will fully fund its national broadcaster. Core funding must be restored to the 1995/96 level in real terms.

Independence from government and business allows the ABC to scrutinise the activities of governments and other powerful forces, to report without fear or favour.

Independence enables the ABC to be innovative, and to be a comprehensive broadcaster catering for diverse interests. Unlike commercial broadcasters it is not restricted to providing only what advertisers will pay for.

But all of this is likely to change if people do not remain committed to taking whatever action they can.

The ABC is in serious danger of losing its independence, through back-door commercialisation.

Last Updated (May 2013)

Template of Sample Letters

Print out
Copy
Hand out
Post
Fax
Pin on the Noticeboard

Attention all ABC Shareholders —
The Australian Public!

Show your concern for your ABC
- Write against the cuts
- Write against advertising and sponsorship
- Write for Radio National
- Write for the survival of your ABC

Sample letters follow — Copy & Paste to reproduce a letter, then make any changes you see fit.

WRITE to the Prime Minister,
C/- Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

and

SEND a copy of your letter to:
your local Federal Member and

Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications, and the Digital Economy
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

If you've never written a letter before, make this your first! If you've got any other letters to write, give this one your priority!

Letter-writing

It is better to write your own letter 'from the heart', but you may like to use the following sample letters. Petitions, postcards and prepared letters do not cut much ice with politicians. So if you feel strongly about the ABC, please write.

We suggest you write directly to the Prime Minister and send copies to your local member and Senator Conroy . You can find addresses and fax and email numbers at these sites: House of Representatives Home Page and Senate Home Page.

Use 'Search' to find your favourite (or not-so-favourite) politician.

Other links to Australian political parties are on our Links to other sites page.

Last Updated (February 2012)

Sample Letter #1

To: My Local Member of Parliament
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________ Post Code _______

Dear Member

Australia's independent national public broadcaster plays a fundamental role in maintaining Australian democracy and culture. I am concerned at government actions which undermine the ABC's capacity to operate in the interests of the public.

The ABC must be well resourced to remain an independent, comprehensive and innovative national public broadcaster.

ABC independence from government and commercial influence must not be compromised - by sponsorship, advertising, government interference in management, editorial or program matters, or political appointments to the ABC Board.

Base funding cut by the government must be restored at least to the 1995/96 level in real terms, and additional funding provided, without strings attached, to enable the ABC to convert to digital technology.

I will not accept changes to the ABC Charter which weaken the role of the ABC.

ABC radio and television must maintain a high level of in-house production.

Regional broadcasting relies heavily on the support and back-up of other parts of the ABC. It will flourish only by maintaining the ABC as a whole.

Radio Australia and Australia Television, the independent voice of Australia to Asia and the Pacific, must be restored to their former reach and capacity.

Radio Australia must have access to the Cox Peninsula transmitters.

Yours sincerely

Signature:
Name:
Address:
Date:

Last Updated (May 2013)

Sample Letter #2

The Honourable Julia Gillard, MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Dear Prime Minister

We hope you and Senator Conroy will press ahead with the steps you have taken so far to restore the independence of the ABC.

The ABC must be well resourced to remain an independent, comprehensive and innovative national public broadcaster.

Base funding must be restored at least to the 1995/96 level in real terms, and additional funding provided, without strings attached, to enable the ABC to convert to digital technology without diluting creative programs on existing networks. The 24 Hour News Channel must be fully funded.

Regional broadcasting relies heavily on the support and back-up of other parts of the ABC. It will flourish only by maintaining the ABC as a whole.

Radio Australia and Australia Television, the independent voice of Australia to Asia and the Pacific, must be restored.

Radio Australia must have access to the Cox Peninsula transmitters.

I request your written response to all matters I have raised.

Yours sincerely
Address:
Date:

Last Updated (May 2013)