Media Release

Save Our ABC and Friends of the ABC will hold the National Launch of 'Save Our ABC Regional Campaign' at the Albury City Council on Wednesday March 5 at 12.30pm to alert regional and rural Australia to the severe budget cuts that threaten their ABC.

Despite Mr Mansfield's recommendation to list regional and rural services in the ABC Charter, they cannot be protected from the budget cuts. It will mean an inevitable reduction in the choice of programs and services regional viewers and listeners have come to rely upon.

The Government's proposed $55 million cut will result in the loss of at least one ABC Radio network, possibly: Radio National, Classic FM or Triple J.

ABC TV is in jeopardy with non-news and current affairs television programs being contracted out and ABC management admitting Australian content on TV could be reduced from the current production levels of 50% to between 25 and 30% by the turn of the century.

Mr Jim Saleeba, Friends of the ABC in Albury Wodonga, said, 'Mansfield's promises to protect regional and rural services from cuts are hollow in the face of the ABC funding crisis. Even if we manage to protect our local station from going under, we stand to lose access to other valued ABC services like Classical FM, Radio National and quality ABC TV programs. The ABC is a vital cultural lifeline for regional Australia and if we are to keep that lifeline, the Government must be forced to keep their promise and maintain ABC funding.'

According to Dr June Factor, President of the Friends of the ABC (Victoria), many government members representing rural electorates are nervous. 'They know country people will not stand for any further reductions to rural services. A diminished ABC means a diminished quality of life in the country' she said.

For further information please contact:

Jim Saleeba Friends of the ABC, Albury Wodonga Tel: 060 241800

June Factor President of Friends of the ABC, Vic Tel: (03) 9525 0655

Vanessa Morris
Save Our ABC
Mobile: 015 668 095