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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!

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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 Media Studies & Links to other sites page.

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Dear Member

Australia's independent national public broadcaster plays a fundamental role in maintaining Australian democracy and culture. I am outraged at government actions which undermine the ABCâs 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.

Radio Australia must have access to the Cox Peninsula transmitters.

Yours sincerely

Signature:
Name:
Address:
Date:

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Dear Prime Minister

"Congratulations on your election as our new Prime Minister. We hope you and Senator Conroy will quickly move to make good your promises to restore the independence of the ABC."

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 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.

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: