Section 3 ABC Divisions

Sue Howard Director of Radio and Regional Content Sue Howard joined the ABC in 1986. She has presented programs on three ABC Radio networks. Sue has achieved some notable firsts for the ABC, including pioneering ABC Radio’s midnight-to-dawn shift, becoming the first woman to present an ABC Breakfast program (in 1993) and the first female Local Radio Manager, taking on the combined metropolitan and regional management responsibilities in in 1996.

Sue became Head of Regional Services in 1996, Director of Radio in 2000 and Director of Radio and Regional Content in 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University and a Diploma of Education.

ABC Radio and Regional Content

In 2007–08, ABC Radio and Regional Content built The emphasis on developing cross-media on its investment in cross-media initiatives and production skills continued in both local and intensified its preparation for the introduction of national content areas. In addition, the Division digital radio on 1 January 2009. undertook a comprehensive program of craft skills training and launched the first two in a series of The launch of ABC Local (formerly The Backyard) craft skills books—Talk Radio: The ABC of Writing in March 2008, provided Australian communities and Talk Radio: The ABC of Interviewing. with enhanced local coverage of their regions as well as a gateway to ABC Online. Communities and Emergency Services

National ABC Radio networks increased their ABC Radio, especially the ABC Local connection with regional audiences, with added of 60 stations across , continued to impetus provided by the extension of ABC provide support and opportunities for community NewsRadio to regional Australian communities in engagement throughout metropolitan and , Victoria, , South regional centres. As detailed elsewhere in this Australia, and . The Annual Report—ABC in the Community, page extension of this service to regional Australia will 50—ABC Local Radio strengthened further its continue in 2008–09. role as Australia’s emergency broadcaster during floods, cyclones and fires. It provided not only ABC Local Radio upheld its reputation as the essential information but also a conduit for local primary provider of emergency broadcasts and communities to keep in touch with each other via information in Australia during community crises talkback, SMS and email. and continued the development of its 60 local stations as digital content hubs for cross-platform ABC Local Radio, , ABC delivery. and ABC Classic FM mounted or participated in community events to support Australian and

76 ABC DIVISIONS SECTION 3

Brisbane, and . The concerts, broadcast live on ABC Classic FM, will also be televised later in 2008 on ABC1’s Sunday Arts. This annual event, jointly managed with Symphony Services, rewards young musicians with an introduction to a performing career, access to an ABC studio recording and a professional concert- giving orchestra, the latter an experience which is otherwise impossible to obtain.

triplejunearthed.com launched Unearthed High—a quest to discover Australia’s hottest high school band of any genre with original material. The three piece band called [is], from McDonald Secondary College in Strathfield, New South Wales, was chosen from six finalists and will be professionally recorded by triple j’s live music production team for airplay on triple j. The band will also be featured on and in jmag.

ABC Classic FM launched the Orpheus Remix Local Radio Newcastle Drive presenter, Awards to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Simone Thurtell, at an outside broadcast Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo—’s first opera. on Newcastle Beach. The competition invited listeners to compose their own responses to both the Orpheus myth and the notion of “opera” in the form of original four-minute works for radio. Entrants had to use international emergency relief campaigns and in at least one of five samples of the original L’Orfeo initiatives to promote Australian music. provided by ABC Classic FM to remix their own composition. The best entries were produced Australian Content for broadcast on ABC Classic FM and ABC ABC Local Radio and ABC Television joined Radio National. forces to develop The Comedy Hour launched in Sport Coverage by Spicks and Specks host Adam Hills and 936 ABC Hobart’s Andy Muirhead. The project ABC Local Radio, through its Grandstand aims to identify new and emerging comic talent programming, maintains a strong commitment to to contribute to Australian content across ABC broadcasting a full range of major national and services. It attracted about 500 comedy scripts international sporting events. from the public which will be used to produce ten, The new ABC Cricket website was launched in one hour programs, including a mix of comedic time for the First Test against Sri Lanka and traffic formats for broadcast on ABC Local Radio in eclipsed previous records with over 15 million late 2008. accesses for the first two Tests in November 2007. ABC Radio’s Regional Production Fund launched Cricket coverage dominated in summer, featuring the sixth annual Short Story Project, in July 2007, Jim Maxwell and Glenn Mitchell, with Kerry encouraging emerging writers from regional O’Keeffe and Damien Fleming providing expert Australia to reflect the diversity of communities commentary. The highlight was the controversial through their storytelling. Winning entries were Test series against India broadcast in full on ABC produced for broadcast on ABC Radio National Local Radio and streamed online. and ABC Local Radio. Radio and online coverage was provided of the In June 2008, ABC Classic FM hosted the state Rugby Union World Cup in France, the 2008 finals of the ABC Young Performers’ Award in , Rugby Union and the

ABC DIVISIONS 77 ABC Radio and Regional Content continued

Australian Football League (AFL) seasons, World Cup Football qualifying matches between Australia and Iraq and Australia and China, the Super 14 Rugby Union final between New South Wales and the Canterbury Crusaders, and the Rugby Union Test matches involving the Wallabies against Ireland and France. In 2007–08, ABC Radio Sport attained rights to deliver coverage of a range of sports to audiences across Australia in coming years. Commissioned by the ABC Radio’s Regional Production Fund, local Goulburn Murray Agreement was reached to cover the 2008 Rugby playwright, John Walker’s Flight of the League World Cup in Australia, the Australian Uiver was performed and broadcast at the Open Tennis in 2008, 2009 and 2010, the 2009 Performing Arts Centre. Women’s World Cup Cricket in Australia, the 2009 20/20 World Cricket Championship in England and the 2011 World Cup Cricket in India. ABC Radio National launched its first blogs for All Agreement was also reached to broadcast in the Mind and The Saturday Extra programs, all soccer matches in Australia involving the as well as Movietime reviews produced for Australian Socceroos over the next two years. This delivery on mobile phones which attracted 6 125 included matches against Argentina and China in downloads in the first nine days. 2008 and a series of World Cup qualifying games A new feature designed to support user in 2009. contributions was added to the website of ABC Radio Sport has also secured the exclusive the regional youth initiative, , to Australian Radio Rights—both digital and AM and enable audience upload of images and video, FM—to the Australian Cricket Team’s Ashes Tour encouraging users to see ABC Online as part of to England in 2009. This is the first time digital their own personal digital space. radio rights have been secured for such content. ABC Classic FM commenced video streaming of All Test, One Day Internationals and 20/20 concerts live on its website and podcasts of the matches will be broadcast on ABC Local Radio Morning show. and potentially on ABC Digital Radio, continuing the tradition of ABC Radio coverage of Ashes Tour triplejunearthed.com celebrated its first birthday, since 1934. with music uploaded to the site from 10 400 artists, 80 000 registered users, 1.6 million tracks Digital Media Initiatives downloaded and 3.9 million tracks streamed in In 2007–08 ABC Radio and Regional Content that period. The network’s AWOL blog was listed continued to increase production output beyond in the top 10 Australian media blogs by Australian the traditional analog radio services for delivery on blog search engine Gnoos. multiple platforms, including podcast-only series. With the addition this year of 666 ABC Canberra In October 2007, ABC Radio National recorded and 612 ABC , all nine ABC Local Radio its 20 millionth download since commencing metropolitan stations are streamed online. podcasting in 2005. This demonstrated the The network also launched two podcast-only strength of demand for content made available initiatives. The first was The Great Australian Train in a form audiences can consume whenever and Show, a 16-part series presented by former Deputy wherever they choose. Prime Minister, , covering all aspects The network also launched the RN Shuffle, a of train related history and the role of trains in podcast sampler of excerpts from a range of ABC Australian culture. The second, Multiple Choices, Radio National programs, designed to whet the presented by well-known columnist, Susan appetites of subscribers keen to expand their Maushart, focused on the choices people face in listening range but not sure where to start. their daily lives.

78 ABC DIVISIONS SECTION 3

Former Deputy Prime Minister and presenter of ABC Local Radio’s podcast series, The Great Train Show, Tim Fischer, on the platform at Albury Station, in NSW.

On ANZAC Day, ABC Darwin delivered a two Torres Strait Islanders, as well as ANZAC Day, hour streamed program Talking to the Troops, the memorial service for HMAS and the connecting Australia’s military at home and Olympic Torch Relay in Australia. abroad. The program spoke with military Digital Radio personnel based in Iraq, East Timor and Afghanistan, as well as with their families and Detailed planning progressed throughout the year friends in Australia. for new services for digital radio to be launched in the six state capitals in 2009. Initial high-level All domestic radio stations and networks have briefs for a range of services were prepared and active online audiences (see ABC Audiences, programming and production models developed. page 32-46). The podcasts available on the Radio Network sites have become a valued resource for ABC Digital Radio aims to provide services with online audiences to download program content new, different and compelling content in genre with 32.7 million (excluding news programs) ABC areas of Sport, Health, Children’s and Specialist Radio podcasts downloaded in 2007–08. Music, to target audiences currently under-served and to complement existing analog radio services. Broadcast Highlights All services will be streamed online through ABC Radio and Regional Content provided extensive media-rich and participatory websites, to comprehensive cross-media coverage of issues build community connection and reach regional including the federal election, the Australia 2020 audiences. The number and nature of services is Summit, the Prime Minister’s historic Apology dependent on additional funding. to the Stolen Generations of Aboriginal and

ABC DIVISIONS 79 Kim Dalton Director of Television Kim Dalton has been the ABC’s Director of Television since January 2006. He was previously Chief Executive of the Australian Film Commission. Other roles have included Manager of Acquisitions and Development for Beyond International Limited, General Manager of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, Investment Manager for the Australian Film Finance Corporation and principal of his own production company, Warner Dalton Pty Ltd.

Kim graduated from the Flinders University Drama School and has a postgraduate Diploma in Arts Administration.

In June 2007 Kim was awarded an OAM for service to the film and television industry.

ABC Television ABC Television delivers two commercial-free, the 6 pm to midnight time slot. Over its 24-hour free-to-air national television channels, offering broadcast period, ABC2 provided 3 247 hours of distinctive programs that inform, educate and Australian content of which 42.7% were repeats entertain. In 2008 the channels were rebranded (2006–07: 4 550 hours, 58.9% repeats). ABC1 and ABC2. ABC1 continues to provide In accordance with legislation, ABC Television comprehensive broadcasting services to a broadcast 8 557 hours of high definition material national audience. ABC2, the ABC’s free-to-air in 2007–08, including 1 646 hours in prime time. digital-only channel, is an alternative destination for innovative, fun programming with a focus Part of the Nation’s Life on music, culture, comedy and entertainment. ABC Television helps build a national shared The rebranding helps audiences to differentiate experience and sense of identity through between the two and reinforces each as a unique contemporary, relevant and diverse local content. ABC channel, as well as contributing to the take- up of digital television. A number of new Australian dramas were broadcast during 2007–08: Bed of Roses, East of ABC Television saw its second highest prime-time Everything and Rain Shadow, covering a range share on record in 2007. This was underpinned of human dramas. by two factors: the strength of Australian programming and the expansion of online and History also featured strongly within Australian digital delivery. ABC Television has focused on documentaries with Captain Cook—Obsession multiplatform and multichannel distribution of and Betrayal, Mawson: Life and Death in content. In addition to ABC1 and ABC2, content Antarctica, Gallipoli Submarine, The Catalpa is delivered to audiences through streaming and Rescue, Ten Pound Poms and Sounds of Aus, video downloads, via the internet and mobile all capturing significant audience interest. Other devices. There is a concerted focus on developing documentaries included Tasmanian Devil: The Fast the multiplatform potential of ABC programs. and Furious Life of Errol Flynn, Bomb Harvest, In the Company of Actors and Rampant. The In 2007–08, ABC1 broadcast 1 091 hours of award-winning Australia: Land of Parrots achieved first-release Australian content, 52.8% of the the second highest ever recorded audience for an prime-time slot, 6 pm to midnight, compared Australian documentary on ABC Television. to 1 107 hours, or 53.7% in the previous year. Repeat Australian programs comprised 5.6% of ABC Television tapped into the nation’s hours broadcast, compared to 6% in 2006–07 for conversation with programs such as The Great

80 ABC DIVISIONS SECTION 3

Wildlife filmmaker David Parer going to extraordinary lengths to make Australia: Land of the Parrots, which took six years of preparation and 18 months of filming.

Global Warming Swindle, The Oasis: Australia’s Homeless Youth, The Hunt for HMAS Sydney, Difference of Opinion, Q&A and Carbon Cops. All these featured many opportunities for multiplatform participation, with capacity for the audience to engage in more ways than ever. Q&A enabled the audience to ask web questions, send mobile text messages, participate in online forums as well as ask live questions from a studio audience, all fed in real time to the host. The program is also streamed live online and is available as a video download.

The Prime Minister’s Apology to the Stolen Generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders on 13 February 2008 was presented by ABC Television and News, with interviews and analysis accompanying the live broadcast from Parliament House. It was also streamed as live video on online.

ABC Television’s coverage of ANZAC Day marches and other ceremonies continues to reach large audiences across metropolitan and regional areas.

Coverage by ABC1 and continuous coverage on ABC2 of the Australia 2020 Summit across 19 and 20 April 2008 reached a significant number of viewers across Australia.

Throughout the year, ABC Television continued to provide Australian audiences with a wide diversity of topics, styles and formats: the best of science (Catalyst), religion and ethics (Compass),

ABC DIVISIONS 81 ABC Television continued

Indigenous culture and history (Message Stick), national and state and territory sport, features and lifestyle (Sleek Geeks, Chopper Rescue, Stuff and South Side Story). The Cook and the Chef achieved its highest audience ever.

ABC Television continued to broadcast outstanding international documentaries including Wild China and The Human Mind and How to Make The Most of It: Get Smart and dramas including a new series of Dr Who, Midsomer Murders, Miss Marple, Jane Eyre and a series of dramatised Jane Austen novels.

Enable Two-Way Engagement with Audiences ABC Television’s range of multiplatform services has expanded exponentially. Content available online and other online services cater increasingly for consumers seeking on-demand content and engagement with media. Rich media and interactive content has continued to be added, with an increasing capability for accepting and displaying user generated content, from basic photos to sophisticated mash-up applications. There are currently 26 children’s show-related websites plus more than 76 different ABC Television show websites.

The ABC remains the pre-eminent free-to-air broadcaster of children’s content. On ABC Kids, Zimmer Twins, continues to lead as one of the most successful user generated content tools in Australia. In three months there were over 63 000 different animated movies created by the audience. Fifty of these movies were produced and adapted for television broadcast, and can be seen during the RollerCoaster program. RollerCoaster itself is now enhanced with interactive television, which is available to pay television viewers, using the remote and a facility developed by the ABC.

A new preschool web portal The Playground was launched. This colourful site was developed with a series of original ABC characters. The online world offers over a dozen exciting new activities as well as serving as a launching pad for other ABC Television websites such as Playschool, Shaun The Sheep and Bottle Top Bill.

triple j tv is a classic example of content for a media hungry youth audience accustomed to

82 ABC DIVISIONS SECTION 3 juggling different forms of media. Originally a radio brand, triple j is now a truly cross-platform youth brand which takes live music, current affairs, interviews, pop culture, documentaries and comedy and makes it available across a number of platforms including ABC1, ABC2, radio, online, mobile and portable media players.

ABC Television has increased the amount of video content that is streamed or available to be downloaded through its new online portal. At any time at least 25 programs are offered as downloads, along with streamed programs and segments. The ABC has the most comprehensive online options of any broadcaster in Australia.

From 156 000 downloads in August 2006, in 2007–08 a monthly average of 1.55 million downloads of ABC Television programs was recorded. In total there were 18.6 million vodcasts downloaded in 2007–08. Top downloads included The Chaser’s War on Everything, triple j tv, Summer Heights High, Good Game, Enough Rope, Media Watch and Bed of Roses.

Stand out examples of multiplatform entities included new ABC comedy programs Summer Heights High, The Librarians and The Chaser’s War on Everything; and established series such as Spicks and Specks continued to build audiences, along with The Einstein Factor, The New Inventors and Collectors, which celebrated its 100th episode. All of these have had a significant online presence through websites and other avenues, such as YouTube, which have received large numbers of visitors. The website activity for the new entertainment panel discussion show, The Gruen Transfer, is high with the ability for viewers to upload their self-made advertisements onto the site.

ABC1 continued to offer a wide range of Australian arts series such as First Tuesday Book Club. The Tuesday night arts slot was given prominence with a new theme and title— Artscape—showcasing a range of Australian and overseas arts documentaries. New arts presenter talent featured in the series Not Quite Art and The Art Life.

ABC2 continued production on a fourth series of the ever-popular games review program, Good Game, as well as attracting new audiences with

ABC DIVISIONS 83 ABC Television continued

programs such as triple j tv and the concert series live in Federation Square in Melbourne. This triple j tv presents. extraordinary initiative is another way in which ABC2 continues to connect audiences in both , made exclusively for ABC2, regional and rural communities. continued to reach audiences with relevant, regional news stories, while the station provided The Good Game “Game Initiative” has resulted in another outlet for programs such as Message the world’s first “Crowd Sourced Video Game “ Stick, New Inventors and Spicks and Specks. with the audience collectively developing an online game. A growing online community is producing Foster Creativity a concept and design document for the game ABC Television encourages creative endeavour in developer who is building the prototype. Other its content creation, both within the ABC and in content in development includes an alternate the wider screen content industries, facilitating reality game and “Digital Soapbox”, which enables innovation and being a trailblazer.

A groundbreaking partnership between ABC Television, the Australian Film Commission (AFC), The Australian Ballet and the Australia Council The use of special techniques, screened nationally, the live performance of equipment and training allowed Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake. Audiences watched divers to descend to 50 metres in the program on ABC2, eight regional centres the making of the documentary, around Australia held free, booked out public Gallipoli Submarine, funded by the Independent Production screenings via the AFC’s Regional Digital Screen Commissioning Fund. Network, it was beamed via satellite to other regional venues and a further thousand or more people also watched the performance streamed

Independent Production Commissioning Fund (IPCF)

In the 2006 budget, the Australian Government To date, ABC Television has committed $22.5 provided an extra $10 million annually over three million of the $30 million total. Production years (2006–07 to 2008–09) to increase the budgets, in association with independent amount of Australian content on ABC Television. producers have totalled $80.8 million, which is a This funding has been used to commission gearing ratio of over three to one for each dollar independently produced programs, helping to of the IPCF. The ABC has commissioned 100.5 increase the level and diversity of Australian hours of production, comprising 39.5 hours of programs broadcast. documentaries, 41.5 hours of children’s programs and 19.5 hours of Australian drama. The objectives for the fund are to increase the amount of Australian adult and children’s drama The programs that have been broadcast have and documentary broadcast on ABC Television, all performed strongly in both regional and extend ABC Television’s relationship with the metropolitan markets. In particular, Australian independent television production sector, dramas such as Bed of Roses and Rain Shadow increase the level and amount of independent performed well. Documentaries such as Ten Pound commissioning by ABC Television and contribute to Poms, The Hunt for HMAS Sydney and Gallipoli an increased amount of Australian production. Submarine, all performed well nationally.

84 ABC DIVISIONS SECTION 3 an entire program to be delivered from audience input combining text messaging, internet music uploads, photo uploads and online voting tools.

The iArts initiative involves partnerships and collaborations between Western Australian producers of digital content and arts practitioners, to create multiplatform interactive projects. ABC Television is building and hosting the online and interactive site, and content will be broadcast on ABC1 and ABC2.

Most Popular ABC Television Programs 2007–08 Five-City Metropolitan Regional Average Average Audience Audience The Chaser’s War on Everything The Chaser’s War on Everything (12 September 2007) 2 285 000 (12 September 2007) 838 000 Spicks and Specks (12 September 2007) 1 622 000 Doc Martin (3 May 2008) 796 000 Spicks and Specks: A Very Specky Christmas (7 April 2008) 710 000 (16 December 2007) 1 601 000 Midsomer Murders (12 August 2007) 704 000 Doc Martin (3 May 2008) 1 507 000 Spicks and Specks: A Very Specky Christmas Enough Rope with Andrew Denton (16 December 2007) 703 000 (31 March 2008) 1 498 000 Vicar Of Dibley (19 December 2007) 684 000 Summer Heights High (24 October 2007) 1 482 000 Spicks and Specks (12 September 2007) 666 000 Midsomer Murders (26 August 2007) 1 482 000 New Tricks (10 November 2007) 659 000 Vicar of Dibley (19 December 2007) 1 458 000 Wild China (25 May 2008) 625 000 New Tricks (10 November 2007) 1 425 000 Australia: Land of Parrots (4 May 2008) 624 000 The Chaser Decides 2007 Taggart (13 July 2007) 609 000 (21 November 2007) 1 418 000 Bed of Roses (24 May 2008) 608 000 Australian Story (23 July 2007) 1 397 000 The Chaser Decides 2007 ABC News (7 January 2008) 1 354 000 (28 November 2007) 602 000 The Gruen Transfer (28 May 2008) 1 287 000 ABC News (4 November 2007) 594 000 The Worst Jobs in History Rain Shadow (7 October 2007) 589 000 (12 August 2007) 1 283 000 The Worst Jobs in History (29 July 2007) 585 000 The Librarians (31 October 2007) 1 275 000 Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple: Nemesis Australia: Land of Parrots (4 May 2008) 1 264 000 (3 February 2008) 571 000 Wild China (15 June 2008) 1 258 000 The Gruen Transfer (18 June 2008) 566 000 Doctor Who: Voyage of the Damned The New Inventors (18 June 2008) 563 000 (29 June 2008) 1 248 000 The Great Global Warming Swindle The Sounds of Aus (8 November 2007) 1 221 000 (12 July 2007) 562 000 Silent Witness (20 July 2007) 1 200 000 Source: Regional TAM Television Ratings

Source: OzTAM Television Ratings

ABC DIVISIONS 85 John Cameron Director of News John Cameron has been Director of News since 2004. Before that he was National Editor, ABC News and Current Affairs, a position he had held since 2000. John has worked at the ABC since 1984 as a radio and television producer and as a reporter, foreign correspondent and editorial manager. He has been the State Editor in both Queensland and Victoria, as well as Washington Bureau Chief for three years, including the period of the first Gulf War.

He began his career with a newspaper cadetship in New Zealand, and then worked in newspapers and commercial radio in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia for 12 years before joining the ABC.

News The year has seen considerable change in of five Executive Producers, three News Editors, the News Division, with new and revamped two chief political correspondents, five program programs, strong audience results, many awards, presenters and four new foreign correspondents. a restructure of management, a streamlining Programs of the coordination of news gathering and the appointment of new staff to key reporting, News is implementing, in consultation with staff, producing and management positions. the recommendations of the ABC Production Review. The Review recommended changes to the Significant projects during the period have way News produces television programs, including included the development of the Continuous News graphics, studio automation and desktop editing. Centre, a substantial enhancement and redesign of News Online, and the implementation of the ABC News Online has been redesigned to provide recommendations of the ABC Production Review. a greater range of audio-visual material and to give audiences more flexibility in the way they view Some roles on the News Executive have changed and configure the news for their own needs. All to reflect changing priorities. With the move of states and territories are now producing enhanced news staff into the Division, a new local pages. These pages allow newsrooms around position of Head of Asia Pacific News is managing the country to provide a menu of local stories and the Radio Australia and Australia Network news highlight the main local issues of the day. teams. Responsibility for domestic newsgathering across radio, television and online has also been The ABC is developing a purpose-built newsroom streamlined, with the appointment of network at Ultimo, Sydney for a Continuous News Centre, editors for each of the three platforms, based initially serving some of the video needs of ABC1, together at a central desk in Sydney. This move, ABC2 and News Online, but eventually providing the growing importance of the Continuous News material for other platforms. It has automated Centre and the planned introduction of a new studios and production technology that will television program have led to allow News to develop a 24-hour schedule of another executive change, with responsibility for continuous news output, seven-days-a-week, in all local newsgathering and production now the an affordable way. Twelve staff positions were role of the Head of News Coverage. transferred to Sydney from News Online in Brisbane to staff the Continuous News Centre. There was also considerable change in senior editorial positions. This included the appointment Planning is underway for a television breakfast news program to go to air on ABC2 late in 2008.

86 ABC DIVISIONS SECTION 3

Hobart-based camera operator, Peter Curtis, and National Environment and Science Reporter Sarah Clarke, at the first flight opening of Wilkins Runway in Antarctica.

This four-hour program will be produced at News programs were the subject of three quality Southbank in Melbourne. assurance projects managed by the Director of Editorial Policies. The reviews on accuracy and News is producing a television documentary series impartiality were overwhelmingly positive for the on John Howard’s years as Prime Minister. The programs examined. four-part series, for broadcast in late 2008, is expected to be the definitive television record of Coverage the Coalition government. News dedicated vast resources in late 2007 to Foreign Correspondent moved to a new 30- comprehensive coverage of the federal election minute timeslot of 9.30 pm Tuesday on ABC1, and campaign across all platforms and networks. is presented by Mark Corcoran. A new half-hour The coverage culminated in over 12 hours of edition of Landline was introduced on Mondays live, original coverage on election night, one of at 6 pm. The team behind the children’s program the biggest and most important operations for Behind the News produces a weekday version ABC News. On television, it involved six hours of of the program, BtN Daily, and YNews, a news unscripted television, up to 100 staff, more than website for 16-25-year-olds. 30 locations across the country, 23 ABC cameras, 23 cameras shared with other television networks The radio current affairs program AM visited the and three outside broadcast vans. The television , Western Australia and Victoria coverage was broadcast on three networks— to mark the 40th anniversary of the program and ABC1, Australia Network and Television New the 75th birthday of the ABC. Zealand (TVNZ). For ABC1, the five-city average audience of 1.075 million was the highest for

ABC DIVISIONS 87 News continued

Initiatives News has established a formal induction process for new editorial managers such as News Editors and Executive Producers. The process involves new managers visiting Sydney for sessions with other ABC divisions as well as one-on-one meetings with members of the News Executive. News has also introduced a business awareness training program for all staff with financial responsibilities and delegations.

The 2008 intake of 12 cadet journalists (11 news, one business and finance) started in early February 2008. This is the largest intake of cadets for a ABC cameraman, Brant Cumming and Middle East number of years. Correspondent, Matt Brown prepare to leave the ABC office in Amman for Iraq. With their new digital News, in collaboration with the Dart Centre for technology they have been able to reduce their Journalism and Trauma, has developed a trauma “travel kit” by a third. Still excess baggage for some! awareness program and delivered it across Australia. The Dart Centre advocates ethical and sensitive reporting of trauma and educates any network that night; the audience peaked at journalists about trauma issues in news coverage. 1.3 million—the highest election night audience The awareness program included sessions for achieved by the ABC in the five campaigns managers and staff and peer-support training since 1996. ABC Local Radio coverage included across a number of divisions. The program has live crosses to reporters and candidates in key attracted interest from other media organisations electorates. News Online ran its own coverage and the Dart Centre in the United States has said with video, audio and text, as well as streaming the ABC is the first media organisation in the both the television and radio election night world to establish such a comprehensive program. broadcasts. During the campaign, News Online News, ABC Commercial and an education provided a comprehensive election website. publisher are collaborating to produce a range News provided extensive cross-platform coverage of Behind the News and ABC-branded schools’ of the Australia 2020 Summit on 19 and 20 April products, including a BtN atlas and DVD and a 2008. This included the opening and closing quarterly BtN magazine. sessions on ABC1 and ABC2 and extensive The ABC has introduced a new system coverage of the breakout sessions across both for searching the Standing Committee on days on ABC2. Video coverage was also streamed Spoken English (SCOSE) database for on-air online on both days. On ABC Radio, the Summit pronunciations. The new SCOSE functions—like was the main focus of weekend news bulletins, the online Macquarie Dictionary and the News and there were special weekend editions of AM Style Guide—can be available and open on and PM from Parliament House. computer desktops at all times. The pronunciation Other significant coverage during the year guide also includes audio recordings. included the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation News programs and staff won a range of awards (APEC) conference in Sydney, the Prime Minister’s during the year. This included eight Walkley Apology to the Stolen Generations of Aboriginal Awards, two Logies, the Donald McDonald and Torres Strait Islanders, the United States Reuters Foundation Scholarship, the Dart Ochberg presidential primaries, the earthquake in China, Fellowship and the Melbourne Press Club’s Gold the cyclone in Burma, unrest in Pakistan and the Quill for excellence in journalism. assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, the political crisis in Zimbabwe and the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics.

88 ABC DIVISIONS SECTION 3

Annual Production of News In 2007–08 the ABC broadcast more than 16 000 hours of unduplicated news and current affairs programming, on television and radio, on its domestic services and on the Australia Network.

This year the figures include the federal election night broadcast.

These figures do not include material provided to ABC NewsRadio and Radio Australia; live crosses to reporters into radio programs; and any rolling coverage. The figures also do not include seasonal variations such as sport broadcasts that interrupt bulletin schedules.

Radio News Television News and Current Affairs

Outlet Hours Program Hours ABC Local Radio, ABC Radio National 7 pm News (all States and Territories) 1 460 and ABC Classic FM 7 826 News Updates 125 Regionals 3 389 Summer Late Edition News 6 triple j 250 Australian Story 19 Total 11 465 Four Corners 30 Foreign Correspondent 24 Radio Current Affairs Inside Business 23 Program Hours Insiders 47 AM (Early) ABC Local Radio 43 Landline 51 AM (ABC Radio National) 87 135 AM (Main) ABC Local Radio 145 Lateline Business 76 AM/PM special election coverage 3 24 The World Today 205 The 7.30 Report 106 PM (ABC Radio National) 185 Stateline 158 PM (ABC Local Radio) 205 The Midday Report 130 Saturday AM (ABC Local Radio and Behind the News 17 ABC Radio National) 40 BtN Daily 21 Correspondents Report 15.5 Federal election night coverage 6 Finance Market Report PM 18 National Press Club 103 Summer Specials 5.5 Order in the House 13 Total 952 Parliamentary Question Time 58 Australia Network News 1 768 Asia Pacific Focus 19 Jihad Sheilas 1 Budget specials 2 Total 4 422

ABC DIVISIONS 89 Ian Carroll Director of Innovation Ian Carroll has been the Director of Innovation since March 2007. In this year he has been leading the ABC’s highly successful online site along with cutting edge development of delivering ABC content to diverse, new audiences and delivery platforms.

Ian is one of Australia’s most successful and experienced television news and current affairs executives both for the ABC and the commercial networks. Among the Australian programs Ian has created or led as Executive Producer are Lateline, Nationwide, Channel Nine’s Today, Four Corners, The 7.30 Report, ABC News and the Paul Kelly documentary One Hundred Years.

Ian holds a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University and a Graduate Diploma of Media Management from Macquarie University.

Innovation The formation of Innovation in early 2007 meant one of Australia’s major outlets for information, that responsibility for new media and online entertainment and public discussion. In addition production was transferred to all output divisions, to the ABC homepage, Innovation is also prompting a significant change in approach and responsible for the Science and Health online resourcing across the ABC. The success of these portals. Both of these major gateways have been changes is demonstrated through increased redesigned in the past year to incorporate best collaboration and new output initiatives across practice in site design, usability and information all divisions. architecture. Innovation has focused on building a distinctive editorial presence online which strongly With each division now sharing responsibility differentiates abc.net.au from its competitors. for online content, the Innovation Division has been able to focus on the ABC’s strategic Innovation launched a new ABC Online home development in digital media. The ABC is a leader page in early 2008 which brings content often in the Australian media in responding to trends buried deep within the site, to the front entry and developments in new media platforms and point of abc.net.au and provides a cohesive online technology and is actively embracing the overview of the many kinds of content the ABC unique opportunities these new mediums offer. offers online. The homepage also invites visitors The Division enables the ABC to maintain its to explore abc.net.au beyond the homepage with leading position by driving strategic innovation the addition of the Best of abc.net.au sub-site. and development in content creation, audience The “Best Of” site is linked to the homepage, as connection and new platform distribution in well as other major ABC sites and portals, via a partnership with the rest of the Corporation. series of “Best Of” windows which encourages Whilst Innovation is no longer responsible cross-promotion of ABC content and serendipitous for building and maintaining online content discovery of content by visitors. for all ABC output divisions, it retains primary Unleashed is part of the ABC’s strategy to be responsibility for leading the overall growth and Australia’s premier discussion space and was success of abc.net.au. launched in October 2007. It is a forum for abc.net.au commentators, across all political and social The Innovation Division ensures the editorial, spectrums, to present their opinions on subjects technical and competitive vitality of abc.net.au as such as politics, business, sport, the environment,

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ABC Innovation launched an “off-deck” mobile service during the 2007 federal election campaign, delivering election-related content directly to users’ mobile phones—the first of its kind in Australia.

media, entertainment and the arts. Unleashed New South Wales, in October 2007, Innovation illustrates a firm commitment by ABC Online to launched a mobile service to support the ABC’s present diverse perspectives on issues that will coverage of the 2007 federal election. The Mobile foster public debate. Election offering was an “off-deck” mobile service which allowed the ABC to deliver election- In the lead up to the federal election in 2007, related content directly to users’ mobile phones, Unleashed also presented Sledge, a satirical under the ABC brand, independent of mobile video competition that attracted many entries. phone providers. While this type of application Participants uploaded videos to the ABC’s is popular in Europe, the ABC Mobile Election YouTube channel and the best videos were service was one of the first of its kind in Australia. featured on the Unleashed site. Dedicated to The application and the service were provided to debate, ideas and attitudes, Unleashed signals users for free, with the only costs coming from the a new editorial direction for abc.net.au. mobile service providers’ data charges. Audience The ABC’s strategy to build audience reach interest was encouraging during the lead up to the through the homepage has proven successful, election and escalated dramatically in the final 24 with an increase in monthly unique Australian hours and during election night, with over 4 000 users from 519 000 in June 2007 to 782 000 in downloads in total. June 2008. Another new application, developed completely New Media Platforms in-house by Innovation, is ABC Now which One of the Division’s key activities is the launched in December 2007. ABC Now enables exploration and development of existing and new audiences to aggregate a broad range of ABC media platforms that Australians are or may be Television, Radio and News content within a using for media content today and in the future. player or “widget” downloaded to a computer Innovation gauges changes and emerging trends desktop. It appears to be the most sophisticated in media consumption to identify and trial new application of its kind amongst Australian online technologies and content platforms for the ABC. media competitors. Version two was released in June 2008 with a number of improvements to After a trial phase at the triple j coverage of the functionality and layout. ABC Now reached nearly music festival in Byron Bay, 90 000 downloads in its first six months.

ABC DIVISIONS 91 Innovation continued

In December 2007, the ABC purchased a product The first product trial is scheduled to start in July to deal with the user generated content and 2008 with a contract signing anticipated before social networking requirements across the ABC. It the end of 2008. Implementation is due to start allows ABC content makers to set up customised early in 2009. community spaces where audiences can upload ABC Digital Media Forum and Awards video, audio, photos and blog posts. The first such project was the ABC Kids RollerMache site, which As well as developing new content and services, launched in January 2008. RollerMache shows the Innovation Division facilitates discussion children how to make animations and provides around innovation and new technologies a place where they can upload their completed throughout the ABC. The ABC Digital Media video, sound and photo creations to the site, for Forum was held in February 2008 and brought others to see and rate. All uploaded content is pre- together 140 staff from across the organisation. moderated before it goes live on to the site. The Innovation Division organised the Forum to stimulate discussion on the impact digital In March 2008, a beta trial for Playback was made technology has had on traditional media and available for approximately 5 000 public users. the issues and challenges faced by the ABC as it Playback is a rich media player that offers full- locates itself within this changing market. The screen, full-length video via the internet. The trial program focused on how the ABC can build a comprised three channels including recently aired culture of innovation and sharing, drawing upon shows from ABC1 and ABC2, a natural history examples of successful new approaches from channel, and an ABC Shop channel. Playback, across the Corporation, including Television, News designed and built by Innovation, was the first and Radio. The forum also examined how new player of its kind in Australia. The full service, technologies respond to the online audience’s renamed iView, will be launched in July 2008. desire for participation and connection, immersion In June 2008 the Corporation launched ABC and convenience. Earth, which integrates ABC content—including The inaugural ABC Digital Media Awards were video, audio and text—into a location-based web developed by Innovation to celebrate and interface. A selection of ABC Television and Radio recognise the contribution of staff from across the archive material, news feeds, and radio streams Corporation working with digital media. Over 100 were incorporated into a layer on Google Earth guests attended the Awards, including staff from and users can browse ABC content by geographic across all divisions and States and Territories. The location. The ABC was one of the first media Minister for Broadband, Communications and the organisations in the world to stream video and Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, was audio content within the layer. ABC Earth had a special guest—making his maiden visit to the 4 500 downloads in the first month of its release. ABC in his new Ministerial role—to announce the Web Content Management System (WCMS) winner of the category judged “Best of the Best”, which was won by Summer Heights High. Over 75 It is also the responsibility of the Innovation nominations were received for eight awards, with Division to ensure the ABC has an effective, projects ranging in size from dedicated ABC Local efficient and robust technology infrastructure for Radio projects to large scale initiatives. the production, publication and distribution of online and related digital content. The project to purchase a new Web Content Management System (WCMS) for ABC Online began in June 2008. The aim of the project is to purchase a commercial, off-the-shelf product specifically designed to meet the demands of high output, media-based sites for organisations such as the ABC.

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ABC to Earth ABC Earth integrates ABC material with “Google Earth” so users can browse contemporary and historic content by geographic location. Viewers can “fly over” particular locations—be it a region, city or cattle station—and find relevant news and archival material. Chris Winter, Executive Producer of ABC Earth, said “It’s all about presenting ABC content in new ways and exploiting the consequences of everything being digital”. Featured content on ABC Earth includes national and video news, archival footage from the 50 Years of News collection, Foreign Correspondent programs and local stories. www.abc.net.au/earth

ABC DIVISIONS 93 Murray Green Director of ABC International Murray Green leads two divisional groups: ABC International and Corporate Strategy and Governance. ABC International consists of Australia Network, Radio Australia, International Projects and International Relations. The activities of Corporate Strategy and Governance are reported separately on page 110 along with other corporate functions.

Prior to March 2007, Murray was Director Corporate Strategy and Communications. He earlier served as State Director Victoria and the ABC’s Complaints Review Executive, dealing with the review of complaints about accuracy and bias.

He is a graduate of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, has an honours degree in Asian and Pacific History, and is a lawyer.

ABC International Radio Australia Audiences in Asia and the Pacific are becoming The program schedules for the Chinese and increasingly internet aware and more demanding Indonesian services were overhauled to in their expectations of online services. In number, improve coverage, audience appeal and ease of online audiences are overtaking radio listeners rebroadcasting by partner stations. To maximise in some markets. In response, Radio Australia efficiency and cooperation across all Radio Australia changed its resource allocation for online services, the role of Chief Editor was created to development, focusing on niche content and coordinate the daily agenda. Quality control is related distribution and marketing initiatives. carried out via peer review and analysis of focus group outcomes where available. In news and current affairs coverage, Radio Australia focused on generating original news Radio Australia continues to seek strategic relevant to Asia and the Pacific in a flexible program partnerships with compatible organisations, both format. This included an overhaul of the Radio domestic and regional. Since the beginning of Australia News website which now features 2008, Radio Australia has signed six new important content provided by a team of regional specialists. rebroadcasting agreements with media outlets in the French Pacific, Laos and Cambodia. Staff from the English Language Program unit provided substantial coverage of the South Pacific Radio Australia operates 24-hour, free-to-air, FM Games in Apia, Samoa, including live radio and relay transmissions in 14 locations. A new service television for the Host Broadcaster, seen in 22 opened in Samoa in time for coverage of the South Pacific countries during August and September Pacific Games. Another was opened in Papua New 2007. The English and Khmer services did live Guinea’s second largest city, Lae. Radio Australia studio and outside broadcasts from the Cambodian maintained existing services in Phnom Penh and Siem Water Festival in Phnom Penh in November 2007. Reap (Cambodia), Dili (East Timor), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), Honiara (Solomon Islands), Radio Australia responded to changing audience Port Vila and Santo (Vanuatu), Suva and Nadi (Fiji), behaviours in all target countries. In Vietnam, Nuku’alofa (Tonga), Rarotonga (Cook Islands) and the Vietnamese language website (bayvut.com) is Tarawa (Kiribati). among the most successful Radio Australia sites. Its number of visits and podcast downloads have Radio Australia maintains shortwave services for increased five-fold since its inception in June 2006. audiences outside the range of local FM transmitters.

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Australia Network Papua New Guinea Satellite distribution/ footprint Solomon Islands Cambodia Radio Australia l Countries with one FM frequency Fiji l Countries with two Kiribati FM frequencies Singapore East Timor l Countries with digital Samoa radio subscription Language Services

Cook Islands

Tonga Vanuatu

It uses a network of three satellites for program distribution and direct-to-home use: Intelsat 2, Intelsat 8 and Intelsat 10 with overlapping footprints extending from the eastern Pacific to the Middle East. India is the channel’s single largest market with a monthly audience in excess of five million Alternative Distribution viewers. The Indian satellite and cable television Radio Australia continues to provide content for environment is made up of over of 240 channels downloading to computers and MP3/MP4 players including some 50 dedicated news networks. (podcasts). The most popular podcasts are English Audience Growth language lessons. Radio Australia’s lessons include explanations and background information in The Synovate PAX cable and satellite survey is the Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Khmer, to only audience research available in Asia. For the help users gain a greater understanding of the period ending 2007 it indicated the viewership of English content. Podcasts also allow users to listen Australia Network had grown 8% on the previous to English lessons at their own convenience and year. Large increases were recorded in Hong Kong, to learn at their own pace. Information on the India and Bangkok and more modest increases in number of podcasts downloaded in 2007–08 is Taipei and Jakarta. incomplete due to a change in the measurement Based on these results, Australia Network reaches system part-way through year. However, based on over 1.1 million viewers in a month excluding the available, yet incomplete data, more than 8.4 India. Combined with the TAM people meter million downloads were registered in the year. figures from India, total viewing exceeds seven Australia Network million per month across Asia. Australia Network is Australia’s international Feedback from the Indian audience indicates that television and online service, broadcasting 24 viewers find Australia Network news and current hours a day, seven days a week, across Asia, the affairs and documentary programming far more Pacific and the Indian sub-continent. The service relevant to the market and a welcome alternative is currently available in 44 countries across the to the American and British perspectives that have region, reaching 22 million homes. dominated in recent times. Consecutive “people

ABC DIVISIONS 95 ABC International continued

meter” surveys have demonstrated a trend Audience Research showing that Australia Network consistently out- Audience surveys indicate that around 60% of rates both BBC World and CNN International in Australia Network’s viewing audience represents terms of reach in the six key Indian metropolitan the local, urban, English speaking populations markets of Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, of the Asia Pacific regions, primarily the political, Hyderabad, Gujarat and Delhi. This is particularly academic and economic leadership communities gratifying given both the size of the relative and the young and aspirant groups. The remaining budgets of the two rivals and their time in the 40% are a mixture of Australian expatriates and market. other international viewers.

News and Current Affairs The data also indicates that the average age of Australia Network’s regionally-focused news Australia Network viewers is 42 with a monthly and current affairs programs continue to rate household income of US$4 592 and is university highly in all of the Asia Pacific markets. The educated. The figures provide strong evidence that channel’s international news and current affairs the channel is meeting its key contractual objective programs are produced by a team comprising of targeting “the aspirational Asian audience”. of 30 journalists. Australia Network uses the full resources of ABC News and also maintains its International Projects own dedicated correspondents in Beijing, Delhi, ABC International Projects works with broadcast Jakarta and the Pacific. organisations internationally to support the In February 2008, Australia Network launched development of robust media institutions that a new nightly one-hour news and current operate in the public interest. affairs program, Newshour with Jim Middleton. International Projects offers assistance in the Hosted by one of Australia’s most experienced form of strategic advice, training and mentoring, journalists, the program focuses on the main technical support and secondments. The core goal events of the day and features interviews and of these activities is to increase demand for good discussions with key newsmakers, commentators governance in partner countries, leading to better and experts from around the region, exploring development outcomes. This goal is in line with issues and presenting alternate points of view and the strategic direction of the Australian Agency perspectives from Asia. for International Development (AusAID), the Drama, Children’s and English principal source of funding for the activities of Language Learning International Projects.

Australia Network showcases the best Australian In 2007–08 International Projects continued drama, documentary, entertainment, lifestyle, major programs with Papua New Guinea’s sporting and children’s programming available National Broadcasting Corporation; the Vanuatu from all the television networks in Australia. In Broadcasting and Television Corporation; and March 2008, the channel launched The Movie Cambodia’s state broadcaster, Radio National Show on Sunday evenings to broadcast a Kampuchea. The Cambodia project is in a selection of the best Australian films. Australia transitional phase. A proposal to extend the Network is also a foundation supporter of the initiative until 2011 is currently before the World Asia Pacific Screen Awards held annually in Bank and AusAID, awaiting final approval. Queensland with the aim of promoting and supporting films produced in Asia and the Pacific. International Projects also finalised agreement on a program of support to media organisations in Significantly, Australia Network is also the only the Solomon Islands and hosted a delegation of international satellite/cable channel to provide journalists from Bhutan Broadcasting Service to English language learning programs for business assist in their preparations for providing media or study. These programs have proved enormously coverage of Bhutan’s first-ever general elections. successful as both an education and public diplomacy tool.

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ABC cameraman Geoff Lyle filming for Australia Network News and Current Affairs in India.

Talkback radio, Cambodian style: Radio National Kampuchea staff receive calls on a bank of mobile phones, fill out the details and pass the forms to studio producers who initiate talkback.

New Zealand (RNZ) and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK).

In addition, the ABC engages with a large number of other broadcasting-related organisations in Asia and the Pacific, North America and Europe.

In September 2007, the ABC completed a review, in partnership with two overseas consultants from London and Beirut, into the Strategic Performance Review of the Al Jazeera Children’s Channel (JCC). International Relations The review had commenced in April 2007 at the The ABC has close contact with public request of the Executive General Manager of JCC. broadcasters and broadcasting associations around Early in 2008, the Director of ABC International the world, including the: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting attended UNESCO’s conference in Thailand Union (ABU): Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting to further aid the development of strong and Development (AIBD): Commonwealth Broadcasting responsible media institutions that operate in the Association (CBA): British Broadcasting Corporation public interest in that country. (BBC); Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC); European Broadcasting Union (EBU); International During 2007–08, the ABC hosted a number of Radiocommunications Advisory Committee international delegations, including groups from (IRAC); International Telecommunications Union China, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Vietnam, (ITU); Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK); South African India and the United States, benefiting from an Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and Radio exchange of ideas and debate.

ABC DIVISIONS 97 Lynley Marshall Director of ABC Commercial Prior to joining the ABC in 2000 as Director of New Media and Digital Services, Lynley held a series of senior broadcasting positions in New Zealand. As Director of ABC New Media and Digital Services, Lynley was responsible for the integrated delivery of the ABC’s digital content, including ABC Online, the digital television channel ABC2, ABC Video On Demand, interactive television, mobile and other emerging platforms.

In February 2007, Lynley became Director of ABC Commercial with a brief to develop the ABC’s commercial businesses and pursue new business opportunities in the digital media environment.

Lynley holds an Executive MBA from the University of Auckland.

ABC Commercial ABC Commercial provides a revenue stream, ABC Retail also delivered growth, leveraging through its commercial activities, to support the the success of an excellent ABC DVD catalogue, ABC in fulfilling its Charter roles and obligations as including titles such as Summer Heights High, a national public broadcaster. Bindi, The Wiggles and We Can Be Heroes. ABC Sales and Production, which includes Resource Established in February 2007, the Division assumed Hire and Content Businesses also performed the revenue-generating activities of the former ABC well in competitive environments. Enterprises and the responsibility of developing new revenue streams for the Corporation, including During the year ABC Commercial invested in the potential afforded by digital technology. the development of digital capability to deliver new revenue from digital business initiatives. Financial Performance Redevelopment of the ABC Shop Online began. ABC Commercial recorded a net profit for the year Technical capabilities were developed for the delivery of $17.4 million, which was an increase of $6.7 of digital downloads and digital content sales for million on the 2006–07 financial year, adjusting for online and mobile distribution continued to grow. screen rights revenue. Digital Business Income from screen rights of $2.759 million was Throughout 2007–08, the Digital Content reported in the financial results for ABC Commercial Development Unit extended the availability of in 2006–07. Prior to that period, and in the ABC content through new business across digital subsequent financial year, screen rights revenue platforms. The Division launched two new YouTube was included in the results for ABC Television. channels, ComedyonABC and EntertainmentonABC, The implementation of expanded and targeted an ABC profile on MySpace, ABC content on Apple marketing campaigns, which complemented a iTunes and ABC comedy content, including Summer strong product catalogue and competitive pricing Heights High and The Chaser’s War on Everything model, enabled ABC Commercial businesses to on a number of mobile platforms. Episodes of both perform strongly, particularly in the Distribution comedy series were number one downloads on and Retail sectors. BigPondTV and 3 Mobile TV.

Distribution businesses performed well with A Preview Player on ABC Shop Online was launched Music—Contemporary and Classical—DVD and in December 2007, providing customers a high Magazines reporting strong growth in net profits. quality preview of programs for sale. The Preview

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Player’s technology was designed to be used in The breadth of music under the ABC Music other projects beyond its initial use for ABC Shop umbrella was again acknowledged with ABC Online. Music, ABC Classics and ABC for Kids receiving a total of 11 nominations in six categories for the ABC Shop Downloads was launched in June 2008. 2007 Australian Recording Industry Association Shop Downloads offers customers an online (ARIA) Awards. The 2008 Australian of the Year, browsing and shopping experience. Customers can Lee Kernaghan, and fellow ABC Music artist, Steve browse a catalogue of ABC Shop product, select, Forde, shared three Golden Guitar Awards with purchase and then have the content delivered Adam Brand at the Country Music Association straight to their computer within minutes to be of Australia (CMAA) Awards held in Tamworth. listened to or viewed. The Downloads Service is The bestselling release for ABC Music was triple j based on a free media player that provides state Hottest 100 Volume 15, selling more than of the art picture quality and an integrated web 120 000 units. In the Audit Bureau of Circulation browser and computer desktop functions. magazine circulation report for the period June to Wholesale and Distributor Sales December 2007, ABC Magazine titles performed ABC DVD achieved record sales and profit, well in contrast with the total market, which resulting from the release of over 175 titles, declined 9.0% year-on-year. Limelight increased including Summer Heights High and Pop Go the 8.7% year-on-year, delicious increased sales by Wiggles. Summer Heights High, in particular, was 5.4% and increased by 3.0%. the standout release for the year, selling more than The May/June issue of Organic Gardener was the 300 000 units. ABC DVD continued to lead the highest selling ever at 24 263 copies, which was children’s DVD market with over two million DVD’s 25.0% above the rolling average for the year. ABC shipped across a range of titles including Pop Go Magazines added to its stable of licensed titles the Wiggles, Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the when it launched a Behind the News magazine Builder and Playschool. The BBC DVD catalogue to primary and lower secondary schools in continued to sell strongly with bestselling titles October 2007. including Planet Earth, Little Britain Abroad, Vicar of Dibley and Top Gear.

ABC DIVISIONS 99 ABC Commercial continued

ABC Licensing contributed a strong financial result following a restructure and is now profitably representing a smaller stable of licensed properties led by Playschool.

Production and Sales During 2007–08, ABC Program Sales Worldwide represented more than 100 hours of first-release programming and 1 700 hours of catalogue titles at international content markets, including MIPTV and MIPCOM in Cannes, and the Asian Television Forum in Singapore. Following the significant interest in ABC content at these markets, Program Australian of the Year and ABC Music artist, Lee Kernaghan, won three Sales licensed large packages of programming to Golden Guitars at the Country Music emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, the Association of Australia Awards with Middle East and Africa. International sales to top Spirit of the Bush. networks continued, with Summer Heights High the best performing title during 2007–08, with major sales to BBC 3, the DVD rights to 2 Entertain Ltd in the United Kingdom and as the first-ever ABC Books was awarded a grant from the Australia sale of an Australian series to HBO in the Council as part of its “Literature International United States. Market Development Program”. The best selling titles for ABC Books for 2007–08 were Spotless, Library Sales provides access to the ABC Archives How to be Comfy, Turn, Turn, Turn…Please!, collection to the international production industry. 5 Nights a Week and SpeedCleaning; and Locally it represents major collections such as children’s titles including the 2008 edition of Sing, National Geographic Digital Motion and AP Fairies, Extreme Dinosaurs, Parsley Rabbit’s Book Archives (Associated Press). This financial year, about Books and Dorothy’s Rosy Tea Party. Library Sales made significant contributions to

100 ABC DIVISIONS SECTION 3 major institutions such as the new National Sports Museum and the National Museum of Australia. Hundreds of people queued Revenue targets were exceeded in an increasingly for food writer, Nigella Lawson’s book-signing at competitive footage market place. the ABC Shop in the Queen Non-Theatric Sales had a successful year, Victoria Building in Sydney. expanding partnerships with key industry players such as Marcom Projects and Maxwells Collections, and actively pursuing new distribution opportunities through ABC Shop Online.

ABC Events entertained more than 250 000 young Australians by staging ABC for Kids concerts and “meet and greets” throughout Australia. The in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney, the Choir of ABC Events calendar for 2007–08 also included Hard Knocks Concert in Sydney, and signings by Gardening Australia Expos in Sydney, Melbourne, actors Chris Lilley and from The Chaser team and , Brisbane and with a debut in Adelaide, food writer, Nigella Lawson. making this a five-city annual series. The best-selling products in ABC Shops were the ABC Retail Summer Heights High DVD, Choir of Hard Knocks The ABC Retail business is comprised of ABC CD and DVD, Spicks and Specks Interactive DVD Shops, ABC Home Shopping and ABC Centres. In and We Can be Heroes Special Edition DVD. 2007–08, gross revenue for the business increased ABC Resource Hire by 12%, and net revenue (before capital) grew by ABC Resource Hire uses spare capacity in ABC 45%, over the previous financial year. facilities and crews for productions for clients At the end of the financial year, ABC Retail Australia-wide. Services offered are digital had 157 outlets—42 ABC Shops and 115 ABC outside broadcasts, live minicam sports coverage, Centres—trading throughout Australia. During production services and costume hire and the year, one new ABC Shop opened at Rouse Hill manufacture. Also available for hire are studios, in New South Wales and the ABC Shop in Darwin rehearsal rooms and theatres. closed. Fifteen new ABC Centres were opened and A highlight for ABC Resource Hire was providing three closed. studio facilities and crew for the production The ABC Reward Program continued to be an of Good News Week, which was the first high important promotional tool, contributing 28% of definition recording undertaken in Studio 22 in ABC Shop sales. Approximately 125 000 members, Ultimo, Sydney. including the 69 500 new members who joined ABC Resource Hire contracted outside broadcast during the year, used their Reward Card during coverage of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2007–08. (APEC) forum and cultural event, including New In September 2007, the ABC Gift Voucher and South Wales and interstate field crews, with Reward Programs were updated from manual to the APEC Host Broadcaster, Globecast. Outside electronic systems, making both more efficient and broadcast coverage of national sports included: attractive to customers. the Australian Football League, rugby union, soccer, basketball, netball and boxing in various The major national promotions of Father’s locations nationally. Day, September Kids, Christmas, Summer Sale, Comedy, April Kids, Mother’s Day and DVD Home In 2007–08, ABC Minicam again covered the V8 Entertainment were all successful. During the Supercar Motor Racing series around Australasia year, 269 local promotions were undertaken in and in Bahrain. It also travelled to Asia for other ABC Shops and Centres. The most successful of sporting events including the Macau Grand Prix. these were the ABC Television 75th Anniversary Celebration in Sydney, Gardening Australia Expos

ABC DIVISIONS 101 David Pendleton Chief Operating Officer David Pendleton joined the ABC as the General Manager of Group Audit in 1996. He went on to become General Manager of Financial Operations and Accounting, and later Head of Finance. In February 2002, he was appointed to the position of Director of Finance and Support Services, which was re-named Director of Business Services on 1 July 2003. On 31 August 2004, he was appointed as the Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer. Before joining the ABC, David held senior management positions in the public sector at the New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority and State Super Investment and Management Corporation.

David holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), a Graduate Diploma from the Securities Institute of Australia and is a fellow of CPA Australia.

Operations Group hours for television production, marginally less than the previous year. The ABC Operations Group consists of the divisions and units reporting to the Chief The Division continued to provide wide-ranging Operating Officer. These are the Technology and production services for all television production Distribution, Business Services and Production including new programs The Gruen Transfer and Resources Divisions; the Capital Works, Business Q&A. In addition to regular program delivery, Affairs and Business Development Units; and, for special event programs included the federal election administrative purposes, Group Audit. These areas campaign including coverage of the Leaders provide a range of internal services across the Debate, Federal Election Night, Apology to the Corporation. Stolen Generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the Olympic Torch Relay, HMAS Sydney From September 2007, the Human Resources Memorial Service, the Federal Budget and over 16 division no longer formed part of the Operations hours of material from the Australia 2020 Summit. Group, having been restructured and renamed People and Learning (see page 106). In addition to internal ABC production, Corporation labour and facilities were contracted to make Supporting Strong Governance Newstopia (for SBS), Good News Week (for Channel Ten), Project Runway (Foxtel) and Slapdown (Fox The ABC is committed to the adoption of a strong Sports), significantly contributing to the net profit corporate governance and risk management returns to the ABC through resource hire activities. framework. As reported in the Corporate Governance section (page 64–71), the Operations The Division continued to facilitate experimental Group contributed significantly through its projects for content divisions such as the continuous focus on key issues such as business continuity, web-streaming of APEC forum content and the live emergency management and risk management broadcast of Swan Lake from the Sydney Opera policies and processes. House to 28 regional theatres. Volunteer Production Resources staff donated their time for an outside Contribution to Output broadcast of Merry Makers, a fundraising concert in support of people with Downs Syndrome. Production Resources manages the facilities and labour for the ABC to meet its Charter obligations Over the past 12 months, the Division provided to bring television programs of relevance to footage for issues as diverse as the Olympic Torch the Australian public. In 2007–08 Production Relay, the deaths of former Pakistan Prime Minister, Resources supplied 1.212 million skilled labour Benazir Bhutto and mountaineer, Sir Edmund Hillary,

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What Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton see when sitting on the set of At the Movies.

the Youth and Australia 2020 Summits and the high definition studio-based program, The Oasis: Labor Government’s first Budget. In particular, the Australia’s Homeless Youth, the re-branding of ABC’s Perth researchers supplied critical archival ABC1 and ABC2, the web streaming of events such footage to support the popular Hunt for HMAS as the ABC 702 Knit-In, live events for ABC2, the Sydney documentary. Archives around the country continuing management of remote switching for made a significant contribution to footage used Queensland and the management of a complex in the ANZAC Day broadcasts in each state matrix of feeds for both ABC Radio and Television and territory. on Anzac Day.

Production Resources, in conjunction with Broadcast Network Services completed planned Technology and Distribution, began the roll-out upgrades to the digital television platform and of the next generation of digital equipment to the Remote Area Broadcasting Service (RAB) support file-based production. The Division trialled platform, by replacing digital encoding equipment and then implemented tapeless field cameras for in all capital cities with more reliable and efficient news programs, new graphic production systems equipment. These upgrades will improve the and editing systems in post production. A pilot of overall quality of the ABC’s digital television and desktop editing systems for news production was RAB services. also undertaken. The phased introduction of end- Broadcast Network Services upgraded the audio to-end tapeless production facilities will continue processing equipment for analog television for the over the coming years. eight metropolitan markets and the six regional Production Resources in conjunction with markets. This upgrade will improve the consistency Technology and Distribution, Capital Works and of audio levels for analog television transmission content divisions continued to consolidate the across the country. Further, the codecs used for medium-term temporary facilities in Brisbane, the exchange of audio content between ABC after vacating the Toowong site. studios across the country have been upgraded. This has improved the quality of the audio services Content Presentation and Distribution and allowed the ABC to use internet protocol Broadcast Operations has contributed strongly to (IP) networks for the exchange of audio content the success of the Division and the presentation of between studios. ABC content on all platforms. In addition to the daily management of all radio and television signal presentation and distribution, special projects have included the broadcast of the ABC’s first

ABC DIVISIONS 103 Operations Group continued

Digital Radio responsiveness to the ABC’s current environment; In October 2005, the then Minister for and focused on the development of staff and Communications, Information Technology and the infrastructure to sustain the ABC into the future. Arts announced the framework for the introduction Work continued on phase two of the Integrated of digital radio services into Australia. In December Capital Strategy (ICS) Project. The Project will 2007, the ABC and Special Broadcasting Service develop a ten-year capital funding strategy that (SBS) Boards approved entering into contracts links ABC strategic business requirements with with preferred suppliers for the digital audio a sustainable capital investment strategy, taking broadcasting (DAB) systems and service delivery, account of rapid technology and market change. subject to formal funding by Government. A dedicated project team was seconded from the Following an ABC submission, limited funding Technology and Distribution Division to manage was approved in May 2008 for the ABC and the the Project and to map technology capabilities SBS for the establishment of the DAB service. The and strategies against the ABC’s business, date for the start of service was extended from content creation, information and content 1 January 2009 to 1 July 2009. management needs. Negotiations are ongoing between the ABC, IT Infrastructure SBS and the industry group Commercial The ABC made changes to its server infrastructure Radio Australia (CRA) with the Australian using innovative virtual technology. The consolidation Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) of physical servers to a virtual environment has to finalise the transmission service parameters for allowed the ABC to increase its data efficiency, the broadcasting of the DAB service. reduce its carbon emissions and reduce hardware Performance and Value expenditure and operational costs. The ABC continued to coordinate the development Learning and Growth of an International Benchmarking Group. This group, working in conjunction with the The ABC initiated a program to encourage young Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, aims electronics apprentices to pursue careers as to promote the development of key performance broadcast technologists. The ABC’s Technical Services indicators and benchmarking amongst international department hosted two electronics apprentices, public broadcasters. As part of its commitment one each in Adelaide and the Australian Capital to the Group, the ABC maintains and operates a Territory, who received on and off the job training Group website that carries summary information and mentoring while continuing their TAFE studies in on broadcasting metrics that are accessible to all Electrotechnology. The scheme was partly funded by member organisations. the Department of Education, Science and Training.

The Operations Group completed a program to Production Resources continued its skills exchange revise key performance indicators to measure program, moving skilled staff temporarily into performance across that Group. Data collection for regions where the Corporation required them, the 2006–07 financial year has been completed. improving local skills and increasing use of core staff. Examples of program production that benefited Property Divestment from the skills exchange included large outside The Corporation’s former premises at Adelaide broadcast events such as the Australian Women’s Terrace, Perth, has been placed on the market, Golf, Hopman Cup Tennis and Anzac Day coverage following an extensive period of due diligence from each capital city and three overseas locations. and preparatory work. Operations Group staff The expertise represented in Broadcast Operations played important roles in ensuring the sale process is recognised nationally and internationally. complied with all relevant government legislation Broadcast Operations was responsible for the design and ABC policies. and operation of audio facilities for the APEC forum Integrated Capital Strategy and is currently involved in rebuilding the national In 2007–08 the Operations Group continued broadcast distribution system for Papua New its efforts to align its resources for maximum Guinea’s national broadcaster, the NBC.

104 ABC DIVISIONS SECTION 3

ABC Distribution and Transmission Network Aggregated 2007–08 Performance as Reported by Broadcast Australia

Total No. of ABC Distribution Broadcast Australia Total Network “On-Air” Transmitters Network Transmission Network Availability Availability (See Note 1) (See Note 2) (See Note 3) (See Note 4)

2007-08 2006-07 Target 2007-08 2006-07 2007-08 2006-07 2007-08 2006-07 ABC Service % % % % % % % % %

ABC Classic FM 67 99.98 99.97 99.83 99.92 99.89 98.38 98.72 99.82 99.83 triple j 57 99.86 99.97 99.82 99.92 99.89 98.02 98.47 99.78 99.82 ABC Local Radio 242 99.83 99.56 99.79 99.79 99.75 98.10 97.99 99.74 99.74 NewsRadio 14 99.98 99.99 99.89 99.91 99.91 99.03 99.75 99.88 99.89 ABC Radio National 257 99.98 99.92 99.74 99.82 99.79 99.16 99.38 99.74 99.68 Analog Television 439 99.92 99.95 99.75 99.78 99.78 98.84 98.89 99.68 99.72 Digital Television 273 99.95 99.82 99.77 99.88 99.88 98.98 99.07 99.83 99.79 NewsRadio Extension 27 99.97 – 99.83 99.94 – 99.27 – 99.64 –

State NSW 256 99.96 99.92 99.80 99.85 99.85 98.04 98.46 99.78 99.77 NT 54 99.96 99.93 99.71 99.58 99.30 99.24 98.44 99.53 98.72 Qld 310 99.87 99.73 99.76 99.81 99.80 98.57 98.88 99.64 99.71 SA 76 99.97 99.94 99.79 99.87 99.79 99.24 99.43 99.82 99.73 Tas 81 99.77 99.94 99.81 99.65 99.76 98.10 99.25 99.55 99.63 Vic 120 99.94 99.95 99.82 99.82 99.80 99.04 97.80 99.75 99.75 WA 179 99.94 99.83 99.75 99.85 99.85 99.94 99.83 99.80 99.74

Notes:

1. ABC Distribution Network: These figures represent the ABC’s distribution network which ensures that programs are delivered from the studio to local transmitters throughout Australia. The distribution network service is provided by telecommunications carriers such as Optus and Telstra. This measurement has been designed to be consistent with the contracted transmission targets of these carriers and represents the aggregated performance of more than 60 agreements the ABC has in place to distribute programs. Service availability was consistent in 2007–08 relative to 2006–07. The only exception was the distribution of triple j services in Queensland which were subjected to interference due to climatic conditions (heavy rain). triple j utilises a different Optus satellite service than the other radio networks. This service is expected to be relocated during the coming financial year. 2. Broadcast Australia Transmission Network (ABC Transmission Services Provider): These figures are provided by Broadcast Australia and detail the contracted availability targets and the actual service delivery. Overall the service delivery has met targets, improving in 2007–08 relative to 2006–07. The new digital television services performed above target, unchanged relative to 2006–07. 3. Total Network Availability: These figures show the impact of all outages on the network. It reflects the actual service delivered regardless of the source or type of fault. 4. Total “On-Air” Availability: This shows the percentage of up-time for each service. In 2007–08, relative to 2006–07, Broadcast Australia reported a small decrease in the total period services were “off”, for ABC Radio National, digital television, New South Wales, and Western Australia. Increases in the period services were “off” were reported for ABC Classic FM, triple j, NewsRadio, analog television, the Northern Territory, Queensland and Tasmania. The Northern Territory was affected by faults with the three inland High Frequency (HF) Vertical Incidence Local Radio services due to the impact of post-installation works on the new transmission facilities to resolve performance concerns.

ABC DIVISIONS 105 Kate Dundas Director of People and Learning Kate Dundas was appointed Director People and Learning in October 2007. Prior to this role, Kate was Head, National Networks for ABC Radio. She managed triple j and ABC Classic FM for three years before taking on additional responsibility for ABC Radio National and ABC NewsRadio in 2005. Kate has worked in public and communications policy areas in both state and federal governments and held two senior management roles in the New South Wales Premier’s Department. During her first career in the ABC Kate managed the ABC’s Local Radio stations in the capital cities and was General Manager of ABC Radio Policy and Development.

Kate has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Charles Sturt University focused on radio and television.

People and Learning

In October 2007, the new People and Learning generalist human resources services at a state and Division was formed, following a review and territory level. It also introduced a business partner restructure of the former Human Resources approach and created new roles in People and Division. Learning to work with ABC Divisions. Expressions of interest were sought for new Business Partner The Division was established as a specialised roles. People were appointed to act in positions for and strategic area responsible for people and six months in order to assess the effectiveness of performance with particular focus on leadership the new roles before proceeding to appointment. and cultural development, reward, organisational development and performance, industrial The model also aims to more effectively integrate relations, learning and succession and talent learning activities into the Division. management. Part of the restructure of the former Human The newly formed Division conducted extensive Resources Division included a review by consultation and research to develop a service Acumen/Oakton Consulting Group to evaluate delivery model to best meet the ABC’s current the processes and operations of the payroll and future needs. In February 2008, the new area and identify any opportunities for process model was implemented, designed to maintain and efficiency improvements. The report and recommendations were submitted in May 2008. The outcome of this review will be determined in 2008–09.

ABC People The People and Learning Division leads and Craig Zonca and coordinates a number of corporation-wide Jayne Landsberg strategies to attract and retain talent, develop from ABC Local Radio at the Townsville the skills and performance of staff, and ensure Greek Festival appropriate diversity. It also continued to focus on grape stomping occupational health and safety issues throughout competition. the organisation. These are described in ABC People on pages 54 to 58.

106 ABC DIVISIONS Corporate SECTION 3

Gary Dawson Director of Communications Gary Dawson has been Director of Communications since February 2007. Prior to this appointment he was Head of Strategy and Development.

Before joining the ABC in May 2005, Gary was the Communications Director of The Law Society of New South Wales and previously spent five years as a senior adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office, including two years as senior policy adviser on communications, information technology, science and innovation.

Earlier in his career, Gary worked as a journalist for 15 years in print, radio and television, including with ABC Radio and Television News in Townsville, Queensland and Canberra.

Gary holds a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University.

Communications

Corporate Communications • Information and news for ABC staff in The Corporate Communications unit manages Brisbane on planned new premises and the ABC’s media relations and all corporate the announcement of further findings of communications matters. These include the ABC subsequent scientific reports on the vacated intranet, the ABC Corporate website About the Toowong studios. ABC and all major policy announcements. A new Corporate Marketing monthly newsletter for external distribution, The Corporate Marketing unit manages the ABC Access ABC, was launched by the unit in 2007– brand, its partnerships with other Australian 08. ABCYou!, the Corporation’s internal staff organisations, community events and cross- newsletter, was also published fortnightly. divisional marketing needs. Also within the unit, Major ABC statements and news events handled technology marketing and e-marketing staff by the Corporate Communications unit during provide advice across the organisation on the 2007–08 included: current influx of new marketing technologies.

• In March 2008, the announcement of In 2007–08, the unit continued to focus on Australia’s first internet television service, brand awareness and identifying opportunities to 60 new ABC Local online sites, ABC Shop reach new audiences. It also increased the level Downloads and the creation of a 24/7 of community contact with a record number of Continuous News Centre events staged in every State and Territory. From 1 • Release of the discussion paper The ABC in the July 2007 the ABC celebrated its 75th Anniversary Digital Age—Towards 2020, in conjunction and organised 14 specific events across the with the Prime Minister’s Australia 2020 country, including all capital cities and several Summit regional areas including Townsville in Queensland, • Detailed briefings and issues management on Mildura in Victoria, Orange in New South Wales, the creation of the ABC Resources Division and Bunbury in Western Australia and Mount Gambier implications of the ABC Production Review in South Australia. implemented to improve the Corporation’s The Corporation’s travelling Exhibition Trailer ability to respond to the changing demands of visited 21 events and was open to the public on the digital media environment 63 days. The Trailer’s schedule included: the 75th

ABC DIVISIONS 107 Corporate continued

Anniversary Celebrations; the first broadcast of As a result of the change of government following ABC Classic FM in Hyde Park, Sydney; triple j’s the 2007 federal election, the unit coordinated a Hottest 100 at the Sydney Domain as part of number of briefing papers for the new Minister Australia Day celebrations; the Apollo Bay Music about the ABC’s operations. Festival in Victoria and ongoing participation in Government and Parliamentary Relations Royal Agricultural Shows around the country. continued to expand its role as a conduit between The unit organises and manages public tours of the ABC and parliamentarians for other key ABC the ABC Ultimo Centre, Sydney, attracting a record activities, such as the annual Heywire project for number of 7 332 visitors to the complex in 2007– youth in regional and rural areas. In March 2008, 08, up from 6 600 in the previous year. Currently the ABC hosted its second reception at Parliament there are 15 volunteer tour guides involved in the House, inviting all Members and Senators. It Ultimo program. The unit has also supported and was also instrumental in coordinating the ABC’s implemented tours of studios in other states and participation in the Australia 2020 Summit in territories. April 2008.

Government and Parliamentary Relations The Manager Government and Parliamentary The Government and Parliamentary Relations Unit Relations coordinates the preparation and lodging liaises with parliamentarians, government and of answers to Questions on Notice from Senate parliamentary committees, government agencies Estimates Committee hearings. During the year, and industry groups on policy matters. the ABC appeared before the Senate Estimates Committee twice and provided answers to 63 The Unit is the first point of contact for the Questions on Notice. The ABC also provided Minister’s office, the ABC’s portfolio agency (the submissions to a number of inquiries. Department of Communications, Broadband and the Digital Economy) and other government agencies, as well as parliamentarians requesting information about the ABC. Children enjoying the ABC Kids concert at the ABC’s 75th birthday celebrations at Elder Park in Adelaide.

108 ABC DIVISIONS SECTION 3

Michael Ebeid Director of Corporate Development Michael Ebeid joined the ABC in March 2008 as Director of Corporate Development.

Michael brings to the ABC over 20 years experience in information technology, telecommunications and media, having held senior management and executive positions at IBM, Optus and Westpac. During his six years as Director of Commercial Operations for the Consumer Division at Optus, Michael managed the company’s pay television business and the launch of its broadband services. He was also on the Board of ASTRA (Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association) from 2000 to 2004.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Marketing) and is a graduate of INSEAD’s IEP and AMP programs in France. He is a member of the Australian Society of Accountants.

Corporate Development

The Corporate Development team was established analytical skills and policy insights to assist within the Managing Director’s office in early divisions’ decision-making. 2007 to inform and mobilise the Managing Strategy Director’s strategic agenda. Its primary functions are: implementing key projects identified by A key focus of the team is identifying and the Managing Director, including major cross- assessing issues of strategic importance to divisional projects; providing advice and analysis; the current and future directions of the ABC identifying new initiatives to further ABC strategic and managing projects that position the priorities; and responding to strategic and Corporation to respond to them. It provides regulatory issues. advice to the ABC Board and management on technological innovations and world-wide trends The team plays a central role in shaping decision- in broadcasting, online services and public making around critical issues within the ABC, broadcasting to inform decision-making. including the evaluation of expenditure priorities, investment in technology and infrastructure One of the team’s major strategic projects in and the development of funding proposals for 2007–08 was the Production Review, a major government and other partners. evaluation of the ABC’s television production model (see Corporate Governance, page 65–71). It also provides a coordination role to enable Corporate Development staff worked closely with effective policy formulation around strategic issues the external consultants engaged to conduct the affecting multiple ABC divisions. This includes Review and coordinated the ABC’s assessment of leading internal discussions—particularly at the the initiatives contained in the final report. The director level—to promote shared understanding team oversaw detailed initiative planning by senior and approaches to issues, as well as assisting staff from across a range of divisions, including in the identification of critical factors affecting consideration of financial, technical, human decisions and providing supporting market and resources and process issues. financial analysis. Corporate Development also has a central role in It is expected that over time Corporate the ABC’s regulatory response activities. During Development will be increasingly seen as a the year, it wrote or coordinated submissions to Corporation-wide “consulting group” offering Parliamentary inquiries, Government Departments

ABC DIVISIONS 109 Corporate continued

and the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Murray Green Director of Business Development Corporate Strategy and Governance A second focus of Corporate Development is Murray Green—as Director of ABC International and assessing significant domestic and international Corporate Strategy and Governance—is responsible opportunities to strengthen and grow the for both the International Division (see pages 94–97) Corporation, including partnerships, acquisitions and Corporate Strategy and Governance. and divestments.

In 2007–08, Corporate Development assisted the Innovation Division to develop an efficient content storage and distribution strategy, strengthened relationships within the industry and with partners, reviewed new service proposals Corporate Strategy developed by other ABC divisions, conducted a review of the Corporation’s approach to television and Governance rights and contributed to the preparation for the ABC’s 2009–12 Triennial Funding submission. Audience and Consumer Affairs The role of Audience and Consumer Affairs is to Program Management Office ensure that program complaints are handled in To manage the substantial volume of work accordance with the guidelines set out in the ABC generated by the Production Review, Corporate Editorial Policies and in particular, to independently Development formed a Program Management investigate complaints that relate to issues covered Office (PMO) in October 2007. The PMO provides by these Policies and by the ABC’s Code of Practice. a central coordination, delivery and reporting The ABC’s Code of Practice outlines a range of mechanism for the initiatives arising from the program standards against which the ABC can be Production Review, as well as other cross-divisional evaluated. The unit also responds to a large number projects managed by Corporate Development. of programming, policy and transmission enquiries.

Since inception, the PMO has worked with the Further details about the nature and subject of Production Review Steering Committee to manage contacts with Audience and Consumer Affairs can all aspects of the Production Review and ensure be found in Corporate Governance (page 67). that the various initiatives are delivered on time and projected savings are achieved. In particular, Audience Research it has overseen the development and validation Corporate Strategy and Governance manages of business cases for initiatives, coordinated Audience Research on behalf of the Corporation. the implementation process for each initiative, In 2007–08, the ABC subscribed to a range of facilitated internal communications and expedited quantitative services to measure audiences and resolution of issues as they have arisen. commissioned a range of quantitative and qualitative research to help inform strategy, programming, scheduling and marketing decisions; and to gauge audience attitudes to the Corporation’s services.

Information on the ABC’s audiences in 2007–08 can be found in ABC Audiences (pages 32–46).

Bonner Committee The Bonner Committee’s role is to advance Indigenous development across the Corporation including areas of employment, cross-cultural awareness and specialist staffing of Indigenous content areas and programs.

110 ABC DIVISIONS SECTION 3

ABC camera operator Brendan Read with students, Andrew Dodd (back) Brendan Read and kids and Dale Timothy (on camera) at the ABC’s Indigenous Careers’ Day held at Kormilda College, Darwin.

Elections for the positions on the Committee are corporate governance activities. It coordinates held every two years and voting is undertaken by corporate planning and cross-divisional policy ABC Indigenous staff. An election was held in July work, produces the Annual Report and leads or 2007 and the newly elected members developed participates in major corporate projects. a revised values statement and business objectives During the year, the ABC Corporate Plan 2007– covering the period 2007–09. 10 took effect and work commenced on the Activities focused on attending the NAIDOC development of an ABC Reconciliation Action Plan. Week events in Darwin and supporting a range of Corporate Planning and Governance provided events and content in programs that reflected the oversight to the ABC’s first submission and recognition of NAIDOC Week around Australia in participation in the Corporate Responsibility Index July 2007. (CRI) operated in Australia by the St James Ethics Centre. The CRI process enables organisations to Support was also provided to forums and rate and benchmark themselves in relation to initiatives such as the Indigenous Staff Conference measures of good corporate responsibility (page 70). and careers day held in Darwin and the Indigenous Staff Scholarship Awards at Ultimo, Sydney. State and Territory Directors Each year as part of the Scholarship Awards the The State and Territory Directors lead their local Committee also presents an award in recognition executive teams to facilitate whole of business and of the work of an ABC non-Indigenous employee cross-divisional outcomes in their branches. who promotes and supports Indigenous employment. The Directors are the key representatives for the ABC in the States and Territories. To assist with The Committee is a key stakeholder in the the ABC’s corporate objectives to work with local development of the Corporation’s Reconciliation communities to foster relationships, and to engage Action Plan, which aims to be completed and positively in public conversations about published in November 2008. the contemporary role and performance of the The Committee is named after the late Neville ABC in Australian life, State and Territory Directors Bonner AO, who was an ABC Board Director from held Stakeholder Feedback Forums in capital 1983–91 and Australia’s first Indigenous Senator. cities and many regional centres. In June 2008 in Darwin the Directors of Western Australia, Corporate Planning and Governance Queensland and Northern Territory organised a The Corporate Planning and Governance unit North Australia Forum attracting more than 800 provides strategic support, analysis and advice delegates and featuring national and international in relation to the ABC’s external reporting and leaders exploring the major content themes

ABC DIVISIONS 111 Corporate continued

Radio station 1233 ABC Newcastle was awarded the City of Newcastle Medal for its coverage of storms and flooding in 2007. The station also received awards of recognition and appreciation from the Maitland Business Chamber, the Rotary Club of Newcastle Inc and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

of: environment and water; art; culture and In developing an ABC culture based on shared tourism; resources; relations with Asia and Pacific values and common goals, the Directors provided neighbours; and Indigenous affairs. support to various senior managers and held development and planning days with their local In 2007, the ABC celebrated its 75th Birthday and teams, including working on cross-divisional the State and Territory Directors, working with content initiatives and input into the ABC’s Corporate Marketing, local staff and in partnership Triennial Funding submission 2009–12. In 2007– with various councils and community groups, put 08 the Directors worked at a national and local on birthday events around Australia. Hundreds of level to assist the Corporation to deliver on the thousands of people joined in the celebrations. strategic priority to minimise the impact of ABC The Directors worked closely with a range of activities on Australia’s environment, biodiversity external partners including emergency services and heritage places. The Directors set up and bodies, universities and public institutions. chaired local Green Futures committees to drive They also represented the ABC on a variety of behavioural change and supported ABC Property community boards and consultative committees. in the implementation of a range of engineering solutions. The State and Territory Directors have a significant role in helping to monitor best practice standards In line with maximising the relative efficiency of of corporate governance and compliance within ABC resource and asset utilisation, the State and their branches. Various Directors were involved in Territory Directors had a representative on the governance functions such as the Policy Reference Production Review Steering Committee to examine Group; Operations Support Group, National more efficient ways of making television and Green Futures Steering Group, National Business news and are assisting with the implementation Continuity Group, Editorial Policies Group, Election of the review outcomes. In Queensland, the Coverage Review Committee and Executive Risk State Director is the Project Coordinator for the Committee. The Australian Capital Territory new ABC building to be constructed in Brisbane Director conducted Freedom of Information following the closure of Toowong. internal reviews and the Tasmanian Director In line with fostering relationships with undertook the role of the Complaints Review international communities, New South Wales Executive. Directors also gathered information and Tasmanian Directors travelled to Papua New for and compiled the ABC’s first entry into the Guinea on a number of occasions to provide Corporate Responsibility Index. advice to the National Broadcasting Corporation. 112 ABC DIVISIONS SECTION 3

Paul Chadwick Director of Editorial Policies Paul Chadwick joined the ABC as the inaugural Director of Editorial Policies in January 2007. A journalist and lawyer, he was the first Privacy Commissioner of Victoria (2001–06). He ran the Victorian operations of the non-profit Communications Law Centre for eight years and was a member of the Brennan Committee that revised the Australian Journalists’ Association Code of Ethics in the 1990s. In 1997, he received the Walkley Award for Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism.

Paul holds an honours degree in Law (Melbourne) and is admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor of the Victorian Supreme Court and federal courts.

Editorial Policies

The Director of Editorial Policies has three main Verify functions: to advise, verify and review in relation Verifying whether the ABC is meeting the high to compliance with the ABC’s Editorial Policies. standards it sets for itself involves the Director of The Editorial Policies are the ABC’s leading Editorial Policies in the design and implementation standards and a day-to-day reference for makers of quality assurance projects. The work is broad- of content for radio, television, online and in based and retrospective, not prospective. That print. They give practical shape to statutory is, the various Directors of content-producing obligations in the ABC Act, in particular the divisions retain responsibility for day-to-day quality obligations to: provide services of a high standard; control and remain sovereign over decisions maintain independence and integrity; and to broadcast or publish, subject only to the ensure that the gathering and presentation of Managing Director. news and information is accurate and impartial Five quality assurance projects were developed according to the recognised standards of objective and undertaken in 2007–08. The first examined journalism. The Editorial Policies set out the ABC’s the quality of ABC processes for taking corrective self-regulatory standards and how it enforces actions when they are warranted—for example, them, and are the source for the ABC Code of following a decision by a complaints handling Practice which the ABC notifies to the Australian entity that a correction ought be made. The Communications and Media Authority. project found that in almost every case corrective Advise actions had been carried out. Some inconsistent practices in the handling of online corrections Advice work aims at clarity and consistency in the were found and a series of recommendations interpretation of the Editorial Policies. The Director for improvements were made. is available to advise the Managing Director and other Directors. The divisions have their The second project examined the accuracy of own Editorial Policies specialists and day-to-day three of the ABC’s principal radio current affairs queries follow the longstanding procedure for programs—AM, The World Today and PM. A upward referral within each division. The Director random sample of 150 items broadcast by the of Editorial Policies develops training events and three programs in 2007 was checked by a panel materials on which the divisions may draw for of independent reviewers. The level of accuracy their own training programs. was found to be very high: 95.3% of the items

ABC DIVISIONS 113 Corporate continued

sampled were found to be either wholly or substantially accurate for plain facts, and 97.3% AM presenter Tony Eastley were found to be wholly or substantially accurate preparing to broadcast from the Wilare Bridge Roadhouse, as to context. A typology of inaccuracies was 2 200 kilometres north of Perth, developed and some observations made about as part of the program’s 40th where improvements could occur. The News anniversary commemoration. Division did not accept all of the findings and its full response was published in the final report which is available on abc.net.au.

The current Editorial Policies, which came into effect in March 2007, set out for the first time, an impartiality requirement for each of three categories of content—news, topical and factual and opinion content. The test for impartiality in relation to each of these content categories is different. Accordingly, three different methodologies were developed for the first quality assurance projects to assess a sample of each of these three categories of content. The projects examined samples of television news content, In August 2007, following reports on the ABC radio topical and factual content, and online Television current affairs program The 7.30 opinion content. Final reports are due in Report about conversations involving the then July 2008. Federal Treasurer, the Managing Director asked Review the Director of Editorial Policies to review the The review function of the Director of Editorial adequacy of the Editorial Policies in relation Policies reflects the ABC’s awareness of to dealing with sources and the reporting by accelerating change in the media environment. journalists of events in which they are participants. The rate of change puts pressure on the ABC to The Director found the policies inadequate in both keep its standards up-to-date and, in this sense, respects and made recommendations which were affects the Editorial Policies. released for consultation in November 2007. In May 2008 the ABC Board approved additions to A review of Section 9 of the Editorial Policies, the Editorial Policies and the new sections 4.7 and dealing mainly with the online environment, 4.4.13–15 take effect from 1 July 2008. began in July 2007 with a consultation paper for staff on blogging. At the invitation of the Director The Director of Editorial Policies is also chairman of Editorial Policies, a discussion about online of the ABC Election Coverage Review Committee. standards was held with Jimmy Wales, originator See page 67. of Wikipedia, during his Australian visit. The Editorial Policies Group, chaired by the Director of Editorial Policies and comprising policy specialists from throughout the organisation, has invited colleagues who have particular expertise in user generated content to assist in the revision of relevant standards.

114 ABC DIVISIONS SECTION 3

Rob Simpson Director of Legal Rob Simpson joined the ABC as Director of Legal in August 2007. Prior to that he was a partner at law firms Gilbert + Tobin and Baker & McKenzie. He has also had extensive experience as a corporate lawyer and member of management teams, including as the first General Counsel of Optus.

Rob holds degrees in Arts and Law (Honours) from the University of Sydney.

Legal Services

ABC Legal Services provides a comprehensive During 2007–08, Legal Services challenged range of legal services to the Corporation applications to restrain broadcasts; managed including: the defence of The Chaser team arising out of • Pre-publication advice on a 24-hour, seven-day- the APEC motorcade incident; and formulated per-week basis submissions on law reform including participation in the joint media submission to the New South • Conducting litigation commenced against the Wales Legislative Council Standing Committee on Corporation Law and Justice on Section 11 Children (Criminal • Detailed advice on contractual and rights Proceedings) Act 1987. Significant projects issues, regulatory regimes and the statutory included advising on the ABC’s implementation obligations of ABC divisions of digital radio; and advising on major product • Developing submissions to Government bodies distribution agreements for ABC Commercial. about law reform. Legal Services also assisted with the revision of the ABC Editorial Policies relating to disclosure of sources.

Legal Services continued its in-house media law training program, which is aimed at minimising the ABC’s exposure to legal proceedings by delivering a series of specialised media law workshops for content makers within the Corporation, covering topics such as contempt of court and defamation.

ABC DIVISIONS 115