Government appointments
to ABC Board
9.8.99
"Friends of the ABC
opposes governments of all persuasions appointing their political allies
to the ABC Board," says Friends of the ABC National Spokesperson,
Alison Clifford.
"With funding cuts
well out of proportion to other major areas, the Federal Government
reduced the ABC's capacity, but has not yet succeeded in undermining
it. The Government is now overwhelmingly appointing its political allies
to the ABC Board.
"All of those committed to
independent broadcasting must ask: is the Government trying to interfere
in the ABC from within?
The Government's first appointment
to the Board was Donald McDonald, political supporter and personal friend
of the Prime Minister. The next, Justice Callinan, was later appointed
to the High Court, following the demand of National Party leader Tim
Fischer for a 'capital C conservative'. Then came Liberal power-broker,
Michael Kroger, who has already demonstrated where he stands on ABC
independence, having proposed that part of the ABC to be privatised.
This week the Government has announced three new appointees, two of
which are presently due to take up their position - a conservative economist
and a past Liberal politician.
"The ABC plays a major
role in our community - providing independent information and quality
entertainment, and maintaining Australian culture. Its independence
from Government and political influence must be protected.
"Directors appointed
to a company board are obliged to act in the interests of their shareholders.
The ABC belongs to all Australians,
and the public is entitled to expect appointees to the Board which governs
the ABC to be committed to the well-being of the ABC.
"The allegiance of
Board members must be to the ABC, not to outside political interests.
Friends of the ABC seeks assurance that all who are appointed to the
ABC Board are committed to the ABC thriving as an independent and comprehensive
national public broadcaster."
Alison Clifford
FABC National Spokesperson