UpdateAugust 2016 Vol 24, No. 2 Thrice Yearly Newsletter
WOULD WE HAVE KNOWN WITHOUT OUR ABC?
One hour of courageous, the nation and the world. Dylan Voller These are not isolated instances – Four (pictured) has written a letter of thanks to Corners has shone the light into many of our professional journalism those who helped “get the truth out there.” dark places with brilliance, brought down a on Four Corners on Monday 25th July NSW Premier Mike Baird is determined to government, exposed corruption in public has produced within 12 hours what close down the suppurating sore that is and private enterprise, and changed our two inquiries in the Northern Territory the Greyhound Racing Industry, thanks to society for the better. So why do some of could not – a Royal Commission into the a Four Corners program, which did what our politicians want to close down the ABC? incarceration and torture of children, and the police, the RSPCA and the industry a reaction of horror and disbelief across itself could not. Continued on Page 3.
FOUR CORNERS: why no Can the Smallest State be A Letter from the National impact on changing this abuse? 4 influential in the New Federal Campaign Coordinator 13 Inside Parliament? 9 ABC Classic FM head says he ABC cleared of ‘anti-business’ is committed to ‘great radio’ 6 How ABC friends made the bias in independent review 14 Update ABC a ‘hot’ election issue 10 Letters to Michelle Guthrie 7 No cuts to the ABC? 15 ABC stops banging its drum 11 Top Liberal aide takes senior State News 16 role at ABC 8 ABC, Facebook and the NSW Branch News 20 Advertising Cookie Monster 12 Update From the Editor Publication Information (and NSW President) Update is published three times a year by Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc PO Box 1391 NORTH SYDNEY 2059. he Federal election has come and the best of what the ABC does – thorough gone, with the lower house seat of research, the involvement of experts in Print Post approved: PP245059/00002. Herbert still undecided, and a final the field of Early Childhood Education, Extracts from newspapers and other T Senate makeup still some way off. As a inspirational teaching, and gifted and publications appearing in Update do not necessarily reflect the views of the result of the extraordinarily successful talented presenters engaging with their members of ABC Friends. campaign by ABC Friends, the ABC will audience. Not to mention engagement Update is distributed to all members of most certainly be a major issue in the with the social issues of the time, such as ABC Friends as part of the membership new parliament, with promises from most gender roles and multiculturalism. And all fee. Update is also supplied to major players (except the Coalition) that without the incessant and damaging to journalists, politicians and libraries across Australia. funding to the ABC should be significantly young minds advertising of product and increased, including strong guarantees lifestyle which is the blight of children’s Update is edited and produced in Sydney and contributions are welcome from the Greens and Xenophon Party that programs on commercial television and from state and regional branches. Email funding should be restored to pre-Abbott other media. your contribution (in Microsoft Word) to levels. These and other “minor” parties will [email protected] or post to above have significant power in a new and very Classic FM address. different Senate, and Friends will closely Material may be quoted or reproduced A few weeks ago, Limelight magazine monitor any deals which are done. from Update provided the source is made public rumours about plans to acknowledged and reproduction is sent Marginal seats were specifically targeted remove more live presenters from our to the Editor at the above email or postal in the Friends campaign, with the use world-leading classical music network as address. of highly successful social media, local a cost cutting measure, and followed up Would you like to receive press coverage, and many hundreds of with a detailed article from experienced Update newsletter members manning street stalls, railway producer and presenter Greg Keane. electronically? stations and doing letter box drops. We Many letters to Michelle Guthrie, Managing Save the planet’s trees and ABC Friends’ must acknowledge the especially the Director, some of which are reproduced printing and postage costs and read commitment of Ranald Macdonald, who in this Update, have resulted, and Update on your tablet or computer. When has driven the campaign with skill and despite public denials from Classic FM Update is published, you will receive an energy, Campaign Co-Ordinator Jeff Manager, Richard Buckham, Classic FM email with a link to the latest issue (each newsletter is a 2-3MB PDF). Waters, who brought great media skills remains a cause for concern and very and knowledge to his role, and the tireless close monitoring, especially in the light of You can try this now by going to www.fabcnsw.org.au and clicking on efforts of Margaret Reynolds, our National Buckham’s previous public assurances in “Newsletter”. If you prefer this delivery Spokesperson, who kept the ABC front late 2014, followed closely by a 50% cut in option for future Updates please contact and centre in the mainstream media. It live broadcasts and a 25% cut in staff! It is your local state branch (see back page). is no exaggeration to say that millions of hoped that ABC Management both realizes Who to write… Australians were reached in some way by and appreciates the value of our only the Friends’ campaign, challenged by the national Classical broadcaster to its diverse Anyone seeking basic information about writing to persons of influence might find question “Where will we be without our audience, especially as it occupies such it helpful to go to www.fabcnsw.org.au ABC?” You will find more detailed reports an important part of the ABC’s Charter where there are some menu items from Ranald, Jeff and Margaret in this in bringing world-class performers and under “Be Active” leading to pages of Update. performances to that national audience. information: Who can I write to? What can I say? We will continue to keep a close eye on the 50 Years of Playschool health and wellbeing of Classic FM! Update Editor - Mal Hewitt There are few Australians born in the last 40 Years of ABC Friends PO Box 1391 North Sydney 2059 50 years who have not been touched in [email protected] some way by Playschool, many spending It is 40 years since Walter Bass, with Assistant Editor - Chris. Cartledge those vital early formative years with others of like mind, created Friends of [email protected] Playschool presenters as best and trusted the ABC to advocate and lobby for our friends, as well as absorbing Playschool national broadcaster. The ABC of today Cartoonist - Phil Somerville songs and activities in preschools and would look back to those years with great Editorial Cartoonist for schools right across the country. The envy, as the level of funding was far higher The Sun-Herald (Sydney) [email protected] ABC has recognized this achievement proportionately than today, with viable ABC with some wonderful commemorative offices, studios and broadcasting facilities Layout Artist - Paul Martens programs and reminiscences, but we in every capital city – it was in every sense [email protected] must not forget that Playschool represents a national broadcaster. Since then we
Page 2 have experienced the digital revolution, Former Brandis Staffer in WOULD with a myriad of changes in platforms Senior ABC Role and means of communication with WE HAVE The very recent appointment of Josh audiences, but the ABC does it all with Faulks to the role of Head of Partnerships KNOWN far less funding, people and resources. and Policy at ABC TV is receiving a The world has changed dramatically in WITHOUT lot of media attention, and with good those 40 years, and so has the ABC. But reason. Faulks, former senior staffer to THE ABC? the need for Friends is greater now than Attorney General George Brandis ( one in 1976 because of a changing media Continued from Page 1. of the ABC’s strongest critics,) and senior landscape where traditional commercial adviser to Malcolm Turnbull in 2009, broadcasters, and traditional newspapers, But that is not all that happened looks like another political implant to the on Monday night on our ABC. 7.30 are struggling to survive. In fact many ABC at senior level. Faulks has many reported on criminal behaviour in an have not, and the ABC is seen as a threat connections with organizations with a aged care facility in South Australia. to the survival of commercial competitors “free market” agenda. His appointment Australian Story brought us the story in the media. Hence the relentless, follows other free marketeers to the ABC, of Mojgan Shamsalipoor, victim of rape daily campaign against the ABC by the including Peter Lewis, who prepared the and domestic violence in her native Murdoch media, especially The Australian. “ABC Efficiency Review” for the Abbott Iran, the campaign by her friends and All the more reason to fight for an ABC government, and was then appointed to teachers at Brisbane’s Yeronga State free of commercial and political influence. the ABC Board. Should we be concerned? High School that she be given residence In NSW we will celebrate 40 years of There are many mechanisms to destroy in Australia, and the intransigence of Immigration Minister Dutton, who would Friends with a dinner on Friday 12th the independence of an organization, and have her returned to certain abuse and August, where the cake will be cut by infiltration is one of the more effective. Corinne Bass, Walter’s widow, in the harm in Iran. Footnote: Members can find out much presence of Michelle Guthrie, Managing more about ABC issues, the ongoing Director, and we will recognize the Friends campaign, how to join and wonderful service of James Buchanan, Mojgan contribute to the work of Friends through Secretary/Treasurer and Angela Shamsalipoor. the websites, both National – Williamson, Membership Secretary, both www.abcfriends.org.au and NSW – stepping down from their roles. There www.fabcnsw.org.au will be a national dinner in Melbourne in October, and other states will contact Mal Hewitt members about planned celebrations. President, NSW & ACT Friends
The Q&A panel.
And a wonderful panel on Q&A, discussing the very issues raised by these programs with compassion, wisdom, and respect for each other – Ed Husic (Labor) and Craig Laundy (Liberal), Peter Kurti from CIS, Shireen Morris from Cape York Institute, and Gillian Triggs, Human Rights Commissioner, ably chaired by Virginia Trioli. All free, on our ABC, and we must never give up the fight to keep it that way!
Page 3 FOUR CORNERS why did the two previous investigations have no impact on changing this abuse?
prepared for political reasons rather than as The problem with youth custodial Brian Stout an objective attempt to uncover the truth. institutions is not that we don’t know the impact they have on young people. It is that The Conversation - July 26 The NT children’s commissioner (initially Howard Bath, then Colleen Gwynne) we lack the political will to tackle them. investigated the 2014 incident, in an This is perhaps because the questions rime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s own-initiative report. It found the children, are so big and the required response is so prompt and decisive response some as young as 14, were tear-gassed, significant that it is impossible to properly P to Monday night’s Four Corners had fabric hoods placed over their heads, discuss how we treat young people in program on the torture of young people and were deprived of drinking water for 72 Australia without linking their treatment to at Don Dale Youth Detention Centre hours in solitary confinement. history, race and gender. is welcome. The forthcoming royal The report challenged the description of The default response to young people who commission should bring important and the events as a “riot”, saying there was offend seems to be to exclude them from high-profile recommendations that could no unlawful assembly and that, in one society and from visibility – a response improve the future treatment of young instance, children were gassed in their room that runs right through Australia’s history. people. when playing cards. We know that Aboriginal young people But these pictures, although shocking, are massively disproportionately likely to should not have surprised anyone with be incarcerated, and this disproportion is an interest in the welfare of incarcerated particularly marked in the NT. children. Turnbull is not correct to say that The Australian state judges and punishes previous inquiries did not turn up evidence Aboriginal parents for perceived of this treatment. The problem with shortcomings in how they bring up their It is more accurate to say that the two youth custodial children. But Four Corners showed starkly inquiries produced different conclusions, what can happen to an Aboriginal child reducing their impact. institutions is not when that state takes on the role of parent. The restraints that produced such disturbing that we don’t Gender issues are important too. Young pictures were approved by the Northern know the impact people in the community are primarily Territory parliament and highly publicised at looked after by an army of professionally the time. The incident in August 2014 that they have on trained women – usually by teachers led to the use of the tear gas has already young people. It but, when necessary, by social workers, been subject to two inquiries. counsellors and psychologists. However, Michael Vita’s 2015 report, on behalf of the is that we lack the most troubled children who exhibit the NT government, takes quite a defensive the political will most troubling behaviour are left in the tone. It describes the action in the centre custody of a group of men within the most on the day as “justifiable”, and asks those to tackle them. macho, confrontational and violent culture. who criticise the action of guards to take The children’s commissioner recommended the volatile context, the poor infrastructure, that Don Dale be closed; it is difficult to and the background of the detainees into disagree with that recommendation. But account. it is not enough for Don Dale simply to Re-reading the children’s commissioner’s be replaced by a newer facility with more The report acknowledges some failings report after watching the Four Corners accountability and better-trained staff and makes some suggestions for change, program, it is striking how accurate a (although all three of those things are although most of these are at an operational description of events is provided. At the needed). rather than strategic level. time the NT corrections commissioner, Somewhat unusually, the report challenges Ken Middlebrook, condemned the What would demonstrate a genuine civil liberty groups for criticising but not report as inaccurate and one-sided. His commitment to these children – most of putting forward specific suggestions, response, along with the Vita report, whom are Aboriginal – is a radical change and criticises “Aboriginal legal and seemed to provide enough political cover in approach to juvenile justice in line justice agencies” for not spending time to enable the children’s commissioner’s with international instruments and best in institutions running programs. These report to be ignored by both the NT and international practice. comments add to the impression of a report federal governments.
Page 4 Australia should ratify the Optional used, facilities should be small, local and Protocol to the UN Convention Against staffed by professionally qualified and Torture. Raising the age of criminal Detention should properly trained workers. responsibility to 14 would not only protect genuinely be used It may well be true that there has been children under that age, but also require a culture of cover-up in the NT but there organisations and society at large to as a last resort; this is also, clearly, a culture of complacency find different responses to children who requires the design among decision-makers. It is Aboriginal offend. This impacts on older children too. of interventions in children who are most affected, so now Detention should genuinely be used as is the time for Aboriginal leaders and a last resort; this requires the design the community for elders to be included in the leadership of interventions in the community for high-risk offenders. and decision-making processes about high-risk offenders. Where detention is what happens to their children.
Come to our Annual General Meeting
Special Guest The Annual General Meeting of His address will be followed by Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. a short tea break, after which Kane will be held this year at: the meeting will commence Curran with presentation of reports, election of office bearers and Sydney Mechanics’ general business. We expect School of Arts the meeting to conclude by Level 1, 280 Pitt Street 4pm. Sydney The constitution provides that (Between Park and Bathurst Streets) Committee positions including Saturday 17 Sept 2016 President, other office bearers commencing at 1.00 pm and Committee members become automatically vacant and “shall be elected at each There will be an address annual general meeting”. by Kane Curran, founder Should you wish to nominate of Sydney based digital for the committee or for one of marketing agency Fourteen the abovementioned positions, Digital. please indicate by contacting Kane was instrumental in the James Buchanan on ABC Friends’ higly successful (02) 9371 5621 or social media campaign during [email protected] the recent federal election We look forward to your campaign. attendance at this important meeting.
Page 5 ABC Classic FM head says he is committed to ‘great radio’
(obviously the traditional method) or with because they seem to suggest that Graham Strahle the help of software and associated audio Overnight will not be returning to a live- Music Australia libraries; ABC Classic FM now uses such to-air format. Instead – and this is purely software. Or playlists can be entirely speculative – the station might be aiming to generated automatically. implement a technique known in the radio industry as ‘voice tracking’. This is when Buckham’s statement seems to be furore has erupted over what have an announcer records voice tracks that addressing the very last point. “There is been claimed to be major changes are uploaded to the scheduled playlist to definitely no move towards ‘automated’ A lying ahead for ABC Classic FM. give the impression that the show is being music programming on ABC Classic FM,” Station Manager Richard Buckham issued presented live. a statement via Facebook categorically he says. “In fact, last year we employed ruling out any transition in its programs to four new full-time, very talented (human) If this were to be the case, its introduction automated computer-based selection of music programmers”. to Overnight could pave the way in the music. future for voice tracking across more of the station’s programs, thus reducing the need It was prompted by an article by for live announcers. Limelight’s Maxim Boon and Clive Paget ... we can only hope These could be needless fears, but the that warns of a “major shake-up” being these recruits will be planned for the station. Having received fact is we simply don’t know what changes their information from “senior sources employed in traditional might be waiting in the wings. Buckham within the broadcaster”, they say the format, live-to-air says he is committed to making “great Breakfast Show and Drive Time will be presenting roles, not radio”. We hope he’s right. retained in their current format but that in ‘cyber jocking’... On the question of staffing, Buckham’s other programs “will become largely statement actually does not deny automated”. They write: “The rest of Limelight’s claim that redundancies are the broadcaster’s programming will “They work with a newly-built database of being planned. Indeed, his statement gives be replaced by the pre-programmed music audio and associated information, quite an opposite and encouraging picture: “streamed” broadcasts similar to the type to select and arrange music for our shows. “As you probably know, we have great that replaced the overnight programming Maybe the rumours about ‘computers’ new presenters for some of our regular of Classic FM in November 2014”. choosing the music and programs being shows this year, including Martin Buzacott Boon and Paget also say that the station ‘automated’ originated in the introduction in Mornings, Genevieve Lang in Sunday is set for “a large number of redundancies, of this system. But the database is the Recital and Gordon Hamilton in Screen primarily of producers and presenters, servant, not the master of programming, Sounds. We are also developing a group including some of the broadcaster’s most and our humans are still very much in of new presenters to take on regular high-profile figures”. control, and will remain so.” presentation roles in the future. We Buckham’s statement in response But back to what the Limelight writers wouldn’t be investing time and training in dismissed the article as “highly were probably really on about, which is the new presenters if we were moving away speculative” and made the following question of whether faceless ‘juke-box’ from presented programs.” assurance: “There is definitely no move radio streaming is gradually taking over Again though, the picture in reality is not so towards ‘automated’ music programming ABC Classic FM. In a move that seems clear. While it is obviously welcome to hear on ABC Classic FM”. designed to appease disgruntled listeners, that ABC Classic FM is training up new To prevent any confusion, we must Buckham says the station is going to presenters, we can only hope these recruits separate two issues here. One is talk- revamp Overnight by the end of this year: will be employed in traditional format, free streaming radio. ABC Classic FM’s “ABC Classic FM is planning some live-to-air presenting roles, not in ‘cyber Overnight program introduced this in changes to its Overnight program, which jocking’ as it is sometimes called when 2014: so from midnight to 6 am the station will actually mean more, not less voiced radio stations utilise voice tracking. switches to Classic 2, its continuous talk- presentation on air,” and: “A plan is on In the absence of fuller information about free streaming service. track to reintroduce a ‘voiced’ program for the changes that are about to take place, A different matter, however, is how the midnight to 6 am timeslot before the listeners can only speculate on what might the music is selected for a show – the end of the year.” lie ahead. programming method used. A human The terms “voiced presentation” and Find out more about Music Australia programmer can do this manually “‘voiced’ program” here are interesting, at musicaustralia.org.au Ed.
Page 6 Letters to Michelle Guthrie
Dear Ms Guthrie Fears for ABC riches Can I take a moment of your time to give you feedback on The live broadcast of the Sydney International Piano the negative publicity around Classic FM.I have no doubt Competition on ABC FM has been an absolute joy. The ABC that your office is receiving a few letters on the subject, and team of experienced broadcasters is of the highest quality; I can assure you that there is no issue in regional Australia warm, knowledgeable and appreciative. Interviews with the that the ABC audience is more passionate about than two expert performer/commentators as well as some of the Classic FM. It represents the lifeline to culture for a very young competitors were enlightening and informative. The large number of Australians (for example, the wonderful ABC technical team are masters in their field. performers in the Sydney Piano Competition are brought live, as it happens, to audiences in Mt. Isa, Kakadu, I fear that defunding of ABC FM and loss of skilled radio Broome, or Esperance), and is right up there amongst broadcasters and technical staff will destroy this precious the most important things that the ABC does, as well as treasure chest of excellence. reaching many thousands who cannot experience great Oh well! There’s always the pub, the pokies, footy, sex and performances live. violence on screens and now Pokemon Go to keep us With such fanfare around abcyourspace.net.au, the happy and fulfilled. ABC must pay more than lipservice to the opinions of its Maralyn Lawson audience when it comes to Classic FM, but there is a strong Greenwich perception that the opinions of the audience will not be taken into account when decisions are being made. The audience does not want live presenters/producers replaced by preselected playlists. Apart from the information and education provided by the presenters, the audience Dear Michelle Guthrie, connects strongly with the different personalities, and many Once again I hear rumours of severe cuts to our beloved communicate with them in a 2-way conversation from ABC Classic FM. As one of many who derive constant wherever they are (and the messages do come from all over enrichment, education, pleasure and sustenance from this Australia). This is interactive radio at its most meaningful. wonderful organization, I ask you to please tell me that these The expertise of the presenters, as well as their individual rumours are not true. personalities, is an integral part of the fabric of the station, and engenders great loyalty from the audience, and is The value of classical music to heal and enrich has been treasured by the audience. well documented and even broadcast on the ABC’s own Catalyst program. Classic FM is listened to with gratitude It is also a concern of Friends that the program makers and and appreciation by people of all walks of life and is presenters are not being included in these discussions in a particularly important for those who for financial, physical or meaningful way, and decisions are being made by managers geographical constraints cannot attend live music events. somewhat removed from the realities of broadcasting Broadcasts such as the annual ‘Coundowns’ and the classical music. It must also be a concern that writers with International Piano Competition act as glue that binds a inside knowledge have referred to the “toxic culture” within diverse community. It is considered throughout the world the network. as the best of its kind. Why destroy something so important ABC Friends understand that, as a result of government and valuable? cuts, savings must be found across all ABC platforms, Streamed music is no replacement to direct broadcasts but point out that Classic FM has already been heavily cut by expert and experienced musicians and educators. in 2014/15, and represents a relatively small part of the Streamed music has value akin to piped music in lifts and overall ABC budget. We also understand that the ABC’s shopping centres. Ignored at best; an irritant at worse. relationship with all of the Arts is being examined under the leadership of Simon Mordant, and we would welcome the If this is indeed just a rumour – let it rest. If not, please opportunity to have input to that discussion. re-consider. The ABC’s Charter requires it to “encourage and promote the musical, dramatic and performing arts in I thank you for the opportunity to express these views on Australia”. We won’t let the diminution of ABC Classic FM behalf of ABC Friends, and would welcome the opportunity go without serious protest. to meet with you and discuss further, Yours sincerely. Mal Hewitt President, NSW Friends Naomi Roseth
Page 7
Letters to Michelle Guthrie music canon is constant and ever-growing. While economic and political thinking and processes have evolved relatively recently, the capacity to make music has existed since the Dear Ms Guthrie, dawn of humanity. Therefore, the importance of classical As a member of Friends of the ABC, I write to express my music to the human mind cannot be over-estimated. Many deep concern over media reports of a proposed restructure of scientific studies have found that listening to music, singing, ABC Classic FM, leaving only Classic Breakfast and Classic learning and playing instruments have clear positive effects Drive as presented programs, and relying on streamed music on intellectual development and emotional well-being in both without presenters during the day, as is currently done children and adults. A Catalyst program broadcast on ABC TV between midnight and 6.00am, since presenters for that in 2015 revealed the healing potential of music to people with period were dispensed with in November 2014. dementia and movement disorders. The ABC’s Charter requires it to “encourage and promote the Classic FM presenters are skilled artists who bring a wealth musical, dramatic and performing arts in Australia”. It has of knowledge, creativity, and technological expertise, as played a vital role in bringing classical music to audiences well as a deep awareness of, and commitment to reaching across the country, especially in rural and regional areas, from a diverse and wide-spread audience. They are supported by physically transporting orchestras and performers to country equally skilled and knowledgeable programmers, who play towns in the 1940s and 50s, to radio broadcasts of live a curatorial role in relation to the music itself. An example of concerts and special events, such as the Sydney International the partnership between presenters and programmers is the Piano Competition, which is currently being broadcast on recent broadcast, coinciding with the centenary of the Battle Classic FM radio and via the Classic FM web-site. Since of the Somme, of “Music in No Man’s Land”, researched and the advent of the Internet, ABC Classic FM is internationally presented by Martin Buzacott, on classical composers who regarded as the jewel in the crown of the ABC. served in World War 1. You have spoken of the need for more diversity in the ABC. Without presenters and programmers, without the human There could be no better example of diversity than the voice to introduce and provide context to the music, even the Sydney International Piano Competition, where the youngest most beautiful music is debased to mere sound ”wallpaper”, competitor is a Chinese-Australian boy aged nine, and the like piped music in lifts and supermarkets. We, the audience, other performers (all aged under 30) come from China, Hong are entitled to expect better than that from our ABC. Kong, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Russia, We request that you, as Managing Director, intervene now Croatia, Ukraine, Hungary, Sweden, and the United States. to end the speculation and uncertainty surrounding Classic The fact that performers with such diverse cultural and FM, which has experienced severe cuts over the years, a linguistic backgrounds are all playing the same repertoire is consequent diminution of programming, and particularly, testament to the capacity of classical music to transcend following last year’s budget, the loss of several dearly loved linguistic, ethnic and political boundaries. It also reflects the and widely respected presenters. Enough is enough. diversity of Australia’s own population, and I am sure there are many adopted Australians listening with interest and joy, to the Yours sincerely, young performers from their countries of origin. Gayle Davies, Member, While news and current affairs are ephemeral, the classical NSW Committee, Friends of the ABC.
Brandis slashed the arts funding in the Top Liberal aide takes 2015 budget. He also made news last year when senior role at ABC to ensure Brandis insisted Faulks sit in on a meeting between the human rights ‘constructive relationships’ commissioner, Gillian Triggs, and the shadow attorney general, Mark Dreyfus. Faulks turned up at the commission’s at the broadcaster, working with head of Sydney office and refused to leave when TV, Richard Finlayson, to secure funding Amanda Meade both Triggs and Dreyfus asked him to, for content. The Guardian – July 22 saying he was acting on the instructions Finlayson says Faulks will “ensure that we of the attorney general. Brandis later have open and constructive relationships said Faulks “did not in any way, shape he ABC appears to be shoring with our stakeholders and partners in or form seek to interfere with the up its Liberal credentials with the sector”. In other words, he will be a conversation. He was merely present, as Tthe appointment of Josh Faulks, lobbyist. is appropriate”. the deputy chief of staff to the attorney The senior government staffer certainly Faulks was also a senior adviser to general, George Brandis. Faulks takes up has experience in handling budgets for the Malcolm Turnbull when he was the role of head of partnerships and policy arts as he was a ministerial staffer when leader of the opposition in 2009.
Page 8 Can the Smallest State be Psst! influential in the New Federal Parliament?
Margaret Reynolds ABC Friends National Spokesperson
t’s often assumed that our smallest state is preoccupied with local issues Iand therefore has limited influence on national debate strong ABC advocates. Regular market Lisa Singh and Andrew Wilkie. In addition, However, I would argue that indeed its stalls in Launceston and Hobart had we have particularly strong support for size can be significant in enabling ease alerted the community to serious financial the ABC from newly elected Member for of communication and members’ prompt cutbacks to the ABC. Two public forums Bass, Ross Hart and Member for Lyons response to issues of national significance. with candidates and sitting members gave Brian Mitchell. ABC Friends the opportunity to contrast Recently ABC Friends Tasmania acted On election night we saw three attitudes of those seeking to represent the to alert its members to possible risks government members lose their marginal community. (See also the report of the to Classic FM . The call went out for Tasmanian seats. The former Member Launceston Forum) letters and phone calls of concern and for Bass Andrew Nikolic had been an almost within the week influential local open critic of the ABC which certainly did Independent Member for Denison Andrew not endear him to voters in the north of Wilkie had been in direct communication Tasmania. It was interesting to note that with ABC Managing Director Michelle during the recent campaign a former high Guthrie. ... Minister Warwick profile Member for Bass and Government Tasmania has a history of direct action Smith acknowledged Minister Warwick Smith acknowledged and a number of its parliamentarians the influence of ABC Friends in his defeat have been proactive in questioning the influence of ABC in the 1990s. Clearly ABC Friends have recent downgrading of regional services Friends in his defeat in quite a tradition in Bass! which has taken so much Tasmanian the 1990s ... It is clear that the finely balanced content from television news and other House of Representatives as well as progranning. It was Tasmanian Labor the still uncertain composition of the Senators who initiated a Senate inquiry Senate provide ABC Friends with good into the loss of Tasmanian television As part of the National Campaign a opportunities to work at both state and production. number of candidates were photographed national levels to ensure that the future of During the recent National Campaign ABC with the “I pledge to Vote to Support the our public broadcaster is well supported Friends was proactive in demonstrating ABC” We have these records for re- at the political level. Tasmania is well the risks to the ABC and the need to elect elected Senator Carol Brown, Senator prepared to play our part.
Page 9 How ABC Friends made the future independence and funding of the ABC a ‘hot’ election issue
Ranald Macdonald Convenor, Friends Action Committee
hrough the intensive National Campaign undertaken election, with the new CEO trying to make the best of the hand with your support as Friends, the fate of our national she has been dealt - and with the need to satisfy the Charter T broadcaster became one of the significant election issues, requirements which guide the ABC. with politicians having to take seriously the finances and the What follows is an edited version of what I wrote as independence of our National Broadcaster. national campaign director to all state and territory All parties outside of the Coalition committed themselves to presidents and committees prior to the election on July 2... ensure funding improvements - and in the cases of the Xenophon team, the Greens and other smaller parties - to restoring the “I just wanted to touch base with you all before election day. savage cuts imposed by Abbott as Prime Minister and sustained Some have rung me and asked about support for the party they by the Turnbull Government. favour and how our campaign has helped it. I can report that the The National ALP under Bill Shorten promised extra funding voice in support of the ABC has been prominent nationally during (some $90 million in tied funding) and, in the case of the Victorian the whole election period. Can I also say upfront that in every State Government, $80 million has been committed to ABC press release I have stated that we are non-political, our interest programs outsourced in Victoria. is to support and promote the independence and proper funding of the ABC, and that the whole point of our campaign has been Please check in on our website
Page 11 ABC, and the Facebook Advertising Cookie Monster
Assoc. Professor Dr. Richard Gates former President, Northern Rivers ABCFriends
he ‘free’ social communications and habits to form a profile. Think of what However, what we do know is that data, networking platform Facebook is information it collects when you sign up even though they may be sanitized or Tnow used widely by the community and which you give them for free: Age, made anonymous, are used to target and more recently the ABC to keep in gender, where you went to school, where advertising. And so the ads you get touch with its listeners and viewers and to you live, and so. Even a photo. A great with Facebook are not just a random provide a vehicle for delivery of information. place to start to build a profile which can assortment of bits and pieces but adverts Pop on the web and Google (now a verb) be added to with information gleaned from built around who you are and your your local ABC station, if you haven’t your browsing habits. preferences or what your user profile says already, and take a peek at what’s there: you might like. This is a more effective use Recent stories with public comment, of the advertising dollar, or at least that’s videos uploaded by ABC’s customers, how the argument goes. yes customers (we are all customers Advertising is a big source of revenue to these days!), photographs of nice sunsets Facebook, and these profits are increasing. taken by the public, and connections to Even if you opt out of advertising, and other websites which may be of interest ... is Facebook there are ways of doing this, it does not and may be related, and funny blue being used to stop Facebook from collecting information thumbs which can be manipulated by about you and your habits. It’s all about you to express approval or disapproval of soften up users for money. When you tick the box ‘accepting’ something or other. the introduction terms and conditions you are signing Facebook’s described as ‘free’ because off on collection of your information. Of it costs nothing to join or maintain of advertising, course, if you don’t tick the box, you don’t except your time and effort and a serious particularly when end up with a Facebook account! addiction to having to look at the site So you are paying for your Facebook site every five minutes to see whether or not all those rusted-on with your data. See, there is no such someone has replied to your brilliant ‘old’ ABC lefties thing as a free lunch! comment. But there is probably more to this story. Facebook provides the site and bandwidth pop their clogs ... Who are Facebook’s customers who and storage all for nothing. Wow. Quelle purchase our freely given data? largesse! However, is it really free? Is In my view Facebook needs to be more there finally such a thing as a ‘free lunch’?! explicit/transparent about what it is collecting and to whom it’s selling the Well, probably not. information. What government agencies Facebook uses what are called “cookies” And these profiles may be on-sold to either directly or indirectly through ghost to authenticate who you are and to protect others which begs the question: What is organisations are interested in this itself and you against hacking, but these Facebook doing with my data? information including those offshore, and cookies may also be used to track your As users we are not altogether clear about has the information ever been used for browsing habits, to see what you look at what’s being collected and how it is being political purposes? on-line, and so on, and may return the shared with or sold to someone else for ABC Facebook must be a great source of information it collects about you and your profit. information about ABC users.
Page 12 Such information could be used to make decisions not only about whether it is worth keeping an ABC program but also to target programs preferred by those who A Letter from the have a different political ‘disposition’ to the incumbent government for disposal. Nothing like a selective culling of the National population and its programs to manipulate the political agenda! Campaign And there’s more. Coordinator Remember the Lewis Report on the ABC commissioned by Malcolm Turnbull when he Dear ABC friends and supporters, membership drives and fundraising was Minister for Communications in 2014. Firstly, please let me thank you activities - through personal telephone Lewis said: “The following areas were all for your amazing support and contact with ABCF volunteers. considered outside the scope of this cooperation during the marathon Part of our success in the campaign study:…… advertising on the ABC” (page election campaign. was to shift our public support 19) but Lewis then went on to suggest the base from the 65+ demographic to, following way to make money from ABC I am very, very proud of the overwhelmingly, the 35-54 year-old advertising in the same report (page 60): achievements we made as a result of our work. I’d particularly like to thank group, so we need to think of ways “Alternatively, the ABC and SBS could all of the State Presidents for their to tailor our events and campaigns consider the creation of a joint platform respect and trust. into the future to attract more people to provide catch up TV services for both within this age group, broadcasters. This could be achieved As a result of the and hold on to them. through a single online platform for the campaign, ABC Also, of course, we broadcasters’ catch up services or through Friends is now one of have a new political a joint venture between the national the most prominent ... we have a reality in Canberra - a broadcasters or in conjunction with the special interest groups new political reality which may other free-to-air broadcasters. A stand- in Australia, and given reality in very well work to our alone entity, jointly owned by the ABC the reactions from, and advantage. Now that and SBS (with or without the commercial engagement with, the Canberra - a we have the Greens, broadcasters), could leverage the content public, our organisation reality which offerings of both broadcasters and certainly has enough may very well the Nick Xenophon Team and several generate revenue through the placement of support to grow into work to our advertising. The legal aspects of monetising the largest. others backing the ABC content through advertising would advantage ... full restoration of ABC But that will take some need to be explored further, but a joint funding. organisation, and some platform hosted by SBS may alleviate this work. Over the coming weeks restriction”. we’ll be speaking with Instead of going over the campaign, So clearly Lewis was interested in how the all of the other cross-benchers in an I thought I’d spend this short letter to ABC could make money through advertising effort to gain their support as well you all briefly laying-out what I think to pay its own way. - and then make their policies very needs to be done to secure ABCF’s public. Facebook is a platform for delivery of future expansion, and thus increase in In the meantime, I’ll be working on a targeted advertising. While a government influence. might not be able to convince Facebook full report for you all, which will review Firstly - as is the case with every to ‘reimburse’ the ABC for use of the ABC what worked well, and not well, Facebook site to deliver a large body of not-for-profit - we need to maintain during our election campaign, but lucrative customers, it might use Facebook our income and explore means of also helping set out a recommended advertising to argue the following: ABC diversifying it. For instance, we are plan for the future, including an customers are used to advertising on launching a new crowd-funding ongoing media engagement plan, so Facebook and so why not have advertising experiment on the internet: chuffed. that when I leave you in a couple of on iView, after all we need someone to pay org/project/help-save-the-abc months, your exponential growth in for the bandwidth all those young folks are Very importantly, we need to support will continue. using when they watch the entire series of integrate all of our state member Best wishes to you all and thanks Rake at one sitting. data-bases, so that we can “map” so much for letting me become In other words is Facebook being used our membership, and become involved in what was such an exciting to soften up users for the introduction of more efficient in the distribution of campaign. advertising, particularly when all those information to them. Jeff Waters rusted-on ‘old’ ABC lefties pop their clogs Those members need to be activated National Campaign Coordinator and there is no longer an outcry about to support us in further campaigns - ABC Friends National advertising on the ABC or the loss of Classic FM or RN?
Page 13 ABC cleared of ABC closes ‘anti-business’ bias in opinion website independent review the Drum with Matthew Knott Sydney Morning Herald – July 22 a rampant culture of sex, drugs and alcohol. It was also revealed that the immediate effect Australian Securities and Investments Commission was on the verge of he ABC has been cleared of launching legal action against the systemic “anti-business” bias in a bank for alleged interest rate-rigging. Tmajor review of its coverage, with former ANZ boss Mike Smith confessing Fairfax Media understands the he has rethought his negative perceptions review, expected to be released of the broadcaster. within weeks, calls for a more comprehensive approach to the The independent editorial review, for INSTITUTE way the ABC covers business which Mr Smith was a key adviser, across its various programs. It is has been one of the broadcaster’s FOR PUBLIC also understood to have found most comprehensive yet. As well as AFFAIRS fault with some interviewing analysing a week’s worth of ABC techniques used by presenters. programming, the review included “ABC news interviews with ABC business staff But it does not call for major and submissions from business and current change to ABC reporting structures groups, think-tanks and unions. affairs coverage or its journalistic approach. Fairfax Media understands the is hostile to In its submission to the review, review, which has not been released business, too the free-market Institute for Public publicly, is overwhelmingly positive often running Affairs think-tank accused the about the ABC’s coverage overall while broadcaster’s of bias, saying: “ABC making some criticisms. stories through news and current affairs coverage is hostile to business, too often Sources familiar with the review, led by a political and running stories through a political longtime BBC adviser Kerry Blackburn, environmental and environmental prism.” said they were relieved and surprised by its prism.” positive tone. The IPA said the ABC was particularly biased against In his submission, Mr Smith writes that the coal industry and gave when he began the review, he shared the environmental activists too much widespread view in corporate Australia that coverage. the ABC was hostile to business and that its coverage of business issues was poor. A past review of the ABC’s budget coverage found the ABC But after examining the broadcaster’s focussed too much on politics output in detail, he came to be impressed rather than policy and did not give by the rigour and balance of most of the its specialist economics and finance ABC’s business reporting. reporters enough prominence. There had been some consternation within That review controversially criticised the ABC about the decision to seek Mr ABC host Sarah Ferguson for being Smith’s views on the broadcaster given he too hostile in an interview with Joe only stepped down as ANZ chief executive Hockey while a separate review last December. found ABC presenters allowed their “Imagine the outrage if we got Tony Abbott ANZ was in the headlines at the time of the apparently personal views to shine to review our political coverage,” one review in February, with two sacked traders through in their journalism in their source said. “It’s bizarre.” claiming the bank’s senior staff condoned coverage of higher education.
Page 14 ABC CLOSES OPINION WEBSITE
WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
said. “But to see The Australian’s associate the ABC tanks roll Amanda Meade editor, Chris Kenny, has been up on our lawn THAT PERHAPS 5 July one of the chief critics of the was bewildering.” THERE IS Drum, blaming it in part for the The Drum has NOBODY IN THE demise of newspapers. been edited by ENTIRE WORLD he ABC has axed its opinion “But the ever-expanding former Sydney WHO IS LOATHED website the Drum in a cost- provision of taxpayer-funded writers’ festival BY AUSTRALIA Tsaving move which is one of the free content cannot be making artistic director first significant decisions in the reign MORE THAN the commercial climate any Chip Rolley since of the new managing director, Michelle CHRISTOPHER easier,” Kenny said in March. 2012. Guthrie. PYNE. “As we have documented here, The ABC insisted the decision had Rolley replaced apart from copious news copy, been driven by the ABC’s head of founding Drum the ABC runs extensive online news, Gaven Morris, in an attempt to editor Jonathan Green, now the commentary and analysis on The Drum corral the news division’s online output presenter of Sunday Extra on Radio and now SBS is commissioning long- into one place rather than under a National. form text profile pieces online. Apart separate masthead. Beecher also accused the Drum of from the direct competition, it also conditions the marketplace to expect The Drum online is an opinion and compromising the ABC’s editorial news analysis website which publishes integrity by running “wacky” personal something for nothing.” regular contributions from inside opinions that were “mainly from the The Drum website’s sister program on and outside the ABC, including from left”. ABC TV is not affected by the closure. ABC journalists Barrie Cassidy, Ian The Drum was started in 2009 by After the May budget the ABC had Verrender and Annabel Crabb. former managing director Mark Scott, to find savings of $7m due to the The staff on the website, which pays three years into his tenure. Early on it Coalition’s decision to reduce the freelance writers for contributions, attracted controversy for a piece by corporation’s $20m annual news were told the site would close this Marieke Hardy which criticised the gathering grant. week. Liberal politician Christopher Pyne and another by the late Labor speechwriter Guthrie decided to axe the ABC’s Fact The Drum has been repeatedly Bob Ellis which said “wowser-feminism Check unit and made 12 news positions targeted by News Corp Australia and [had] gone too far”. redundant. other publishers, including Crikey, The axing of the Drum masthead will as taxpayer-funded competition to In 2010 Hardy wrote “that perhaps not save a huge amount as it had only commercial media. there is nobody in the entire world who is loathed by Australia more than two staff and didn’t pay its outside In 2010 Crikey publisher Eric Beecher Christopher Pyne”. The article was later contributors handsomely. However, said the Drum sat “blatantly in the taken down and the ABC apologised. Guthrie is keen to streamline the ABC’s territory of sites like Crikey”. In 2011 Ellis was dropped by the Drum online analysis and focus more on news “Operating in the commercial space, after an outcry when he suggested analysis and less on outside opinion. we expect vigorous competition from women cried rape to “bring down left- The ABC made no immediate other commercial publishers,” Beecher leaning artists and politicians”. comment.
Page 15 Western Australia Friends National: Western Australian State News members of ABC Friends will read elsewhere in this newsletter about our national campaign. In my role as President Two of the outstanding and well of WA Friends, I have worked hard to Victoria attended forums were held in Indi, ensure that the smaller state ABCFs have Victorian ABCF perceived the Federal where Independent Cathy McGowan been fully involved by convening fortnightly Election as both a huge opportunity but was attempting to hang on to her seat, Skype or phone conference meetings, also a considerable threat to our efforts and also Higgins in the inner East of and by producing meeting records. Our to support the ABC for the present and Melbourne, which is blue ribbon Liberal, campaign is not over by a long way – the into the future. being the seat of the long time Howard ABC remains grossly underfunded and Government Treasurer Peter Costello, continues to shed staff. We resolved to focus on a number of but currently held by the then deputy ABC appointment: I was concerned key marginal seats, since we believed treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer. that this would be the focus of both to read in the Guardian on-line that Josh parties and the media and was therefore Both meeting were well attended and Faulks, deputy chief of staff to the attorney the place that we could get the biggest drew a partisan but friendly group of our general George Brandis, has been bang for our buck. supporters. The Malvern Town Hall was appointed to a new position at the ABC nearly full for the Higgins meeting and the described by the Guardian as “head of This strategy, while highly effective, also Indi meeting was chaired by the Nationals partnerships and policy”. The article goes proved to be labour intensive since we rising star Senator Bridget Mackenzie, on to say that Mr. Faulks will be working decided to hold Candidates Forums in who has proposed various members bills with the head of TV, Richard Finlayson, “to a number of marginal seats, both in the regarding the ABC and its Regional and secure funding for content”. I assume that eastern suburbs and also in mixed seats Rural coverage. he will be working with the independent which were both rural and regionally and state-financed TV production sectors We got to know a number of impressive town based. which produce most of the non-News Senate candidates from minor parties We also targeted one seat which Australian content on ABC Television. who attended several of the forums, nominally Liberal blue ribbon He will also, according to the Guardian’s and in the case of the Xenophon Party, nevertheless had a substantial Greens description, be involved with setting policy. advanced their pro-ABC policies to a and ALP voting profile. Can the ABC justify the expenditure on this stage where they were not only promising new position, overlapping as it does with The biggest challenge turned out to full restoration of recent cuts in funding, the duties of the Director of Television? be generating sufficient interest in the but also a ten year funding budget so that ABC and its future wellbeing ahead of the ABC could properly manage its future In the meantime, ABC production alternative and arguably more potent growth. Candidate Forums were held in crews and facilities are shrinking, the issues like education and health. the electorates of Chisolm, Deakin, La smaller state headquarters have been downgraded, losing not only production The pressure was on to fill the Trobe as well as Indi and Higgins. skills, but also senior managers and, Candidates Forums with vocal However, the really astonishing noticeably when someone visits the ABC supporters and members of ABCF to breakthrough strategy was the various in Perth, Hobart, Adelaide, Brisbane and create a lively meeting with the obvious video clips which were widely viewed Darwin, the absence of front of house staff. corollary that a poorly attended and dull and shared and commented on in media Phone the ABC in your state and you will meeting would only serve to convince hosts like Facebook and YouTube. reach the ABC switchboard in Sydney. the candidates that the fate of the ABC By means of these amusing and topical was not an issue worth defending. My further disappointment with this clips, a much younger demographic of appointment is that Mr. Faulks seems The task of getting sufficient numbers supporters was created. The challenge to have no previous experience relevant out on a dark and cold winters evening for us all is to convert these supporters to such a senior role at the national was no picnic, and we used shopping into members and then to get them to broadcaster. According to the Guardian, centres, various markets and railway join our various committees to become he was a ministerial staffer when George stations to get our message out, with the leadership of the future that we badly Brandis cut funding for the Arts in the leaflets and petitions and pledge cards need. 2015 budget. providing the means by which we chatted to supporters and the curious It was very noticeable that our candidate May Day: WA Friends enjoyed a very in shopping centres, and thrust them to forums were mainly attended by good May Day Festival this year with great hurrying commuters at railway stations. supporters and members in the older weather and a well organised event. A demographic, so the video clips provided change in the running order worked very In the end the several Candidate Forums an important counterbalance, since they well for stallholders and for those who went off successfully, with a lively and appealed to the new generation who came along to support the event. We vociferous audience challenging the seem reluctant to attend meetings welcomed a number of new members who candidates to commit their various joined on the day, and were encouraged parties to secure adequate funding and Graeme Connelly by the level of appreciation for the ABC. even restore funding to the ABC. ABCF President Victoria People we spoke to were often surprised
Page 16 complete the card pledging their future other at Glenelg. Plus a street walk at vote for a pro-ABC party and they get to Gawler, which is in the electorate of take away the half of the card with the Pro- Wakefield. ABC message and their signature. The committee decided a respite was Ross said “Non- ABC supporters don’t needed from all the hard campaign work, stop anyway so when a supporter steps so a breakfast was organised to enable up we know they are already predisposed us to take part in the ABC Morning Quiz. to the ABC and we can assist them get up This proved a great success, even though to date with the budget cuts affecting the we did not win the quiz we all enjoyed a ABC so adversely.” delicious breakfast! Now we understand The WA Friends stand at the May Day the Quiz format, another breakfast is Collected Pledge cards are forwarded to festival. planned for later in the year. National Office so they are not lost. AGM Our AGM is Sunday 31 July at the CWA House, a delightful residence on Dequetteville Terrace. We are delighted to have Julia Lester as guest speaker this year. For many years she was the presenter of Classic FM Drive and her topic is “Public and Proud of it: Why an Independent ABC Really matters Now”. Julia’s talk will be complimented by Jeff to hear about our concerns for its future. Waters, who is joining us to speak on the Coming events: Expect an invitation campaign in relation to proposed cuts to shortly by email or letter for our next event Classic FM. which will take place on the second or CONSTITUTION third weekend of August. Details have yet to be finalised. Our AGM will take place Work on changes to the constitution has in October and we will be proposing a been ongoing and this is scheduled to be change to subscription rates to bring them completed for a special meeting in October in line with Friends in other states; the The Brisbane Mall monthly table. 2016. required increases are not significant and AU REVOIR this will be an important step forward in Friends becoming a national organisation. This is my last Newsletter as President of Nationally, presidents and other key people South Australia ABC Friends, South Australia and NT. I from all states will be meeting in Melbourne have had 3 very challenging and rewarding South Australia, like the other states, has in early October to build on the momentum years with a committee that has grown in been 100% involved with the Campaign gained during the election campaign. As both number and strength. Sue Pinnock to save the ABC from further cuts by the always, we appreciate your support has agreed to nominate as President and Turnbull government. Even when enjoying and encourage you to do all you can I know that I will be leaving the seat to a our bi-annual ABC Gardeners’ Market, the to strengthen our voice by bringing person who has shown as much love and emphasis has been on “The Campaign”. in new members from amongst your dedication to the ABC as I have and a family, friends and acquaintances. Marginal electoral seats were targeted desire to continue to work as an advocate for the campaign, so street stalls were to save this wonderful institution. Bobbie Mackley, President organised in Hindmarsh, one at The ABC Friends (WA) Inc. Jessica Knight, President Brickworks Shopping precinct and the ABC Friends, SA/NT, Inc. Queensland Ross McDowell and Fay Waddington were delighted with the response to the introduction of “Pledge Cards” at the Brisbane Mall monthly table run by Friends of the ABC on Thursday 19th July. “Prior to the election petition signatures were all we tried to collect” Fay said. Later we collected email addresses and these have been sent to National Office. The Pledge Cards are much better in many ways. Some questions we are asked are answered by reference to the card, which Sunday morning, 19 June, at Glenelg. leads on to asking for the supporter to
Page 17 under Labor and every year before State News that.” There was then time for questions from the floor. These questions addressed Tasmania issues such as: • The Australia Network and whether Meet the Candidates Election Forum – it should be reinstated. Ross Hart What future for the ABC? indicated that he would like to see Launceston 18 June 2016 at 1pm this and suggested it should be Candidates attending: Roy Ramage, Terrill Riley-Gibson, extended beyond the original scope Trevor Wright, Ross Hart to include both Africa and Central Ross Hart – Labor (Bass), America. Terril Riley-Gibson – Greens (Bass) • A question about the country’s panels into Victor Harbour. He has also Roy Ramage – Renewable Energy Party transmission towers and whether worked for Apple Computers. (Bass) they would be extended. Ross Hart He sees the ABC as our leading news again contributed some thoughts, Apologies: Andrew Nikolic – Liberal provider, especially since newspapers indicating that the matter is or should (Bass), Peter Whish-Wilson – Greens are under attack from the Internet and be dealt with on a case-by-case Senate (Bass), Justine Keay – Labor many of them are sacking employees. He basis. (Braddon), Brett Whiteley – Liberal suggested that we, as taxpayers, might (Braddon) • The issue of tied funding and need to fund a newspaper that we can the feeling that this indicates Forum Chair trust. Government interference and a Trevor Wright, ABC Friends member If elected he will fully support the ABC. challenge to the independence of the Forum Procedure: Terrill Riley-Gibson spoke last. She ABC. All the candidates agreed on the need for the ABC to maintain its Each candidate was given 5 minutes to is Tassie-born but has travelled for independence. introduce him or herself and to present many years. She mentioned iconic ABC their views with regard to Government programs such as Mr Squiggle and The candidates were asked by one support and funding of the ABC. The three Playschool and now Australian Story. She of our members whether they would candidates drew a number and made their had brought a hat with her, which was consider joining the Parliamentary presentation according to the number that worn on the Long Ride 4 Life, a journey division of the ABC Friends. There they drew. undertaken with her husband, Andrew, was no clear indication of this, as they a survivor of leukaemia, her father and did not seem to know much about Ross Hart made the first presentation. a friend. The group rode roughly 3000 it. Senator Helen Polley who was He has grown a successful business after kilometres through rural and regional present in the audience, indicated that becoming a partner in the law firm, Rae country from Longreach in QLD to in her experience it was currently not and Partners in Launceston in 1988, has Ulverstone in Tasmania to raise funds a particularly constructive or vibrant worked with community organisations and for the Leukaemia Foundation. During group. served on a number of community boards. that time the only real coverage of the Finally a message from a new member He spoke of the ABC being a broadcaster undertaking was through the ABC, which of ABC Friends TAS was read out to prepared to address difficult issues. He took the aims of the group seriously and the forum, outlining the reasons for her spoke of his early memories of a Four helped immeasurably with their fundraising recently joining up as a member as a Corners program, in 1987, called The endeavours by giving them a wider voice in result of her concerns for the ABC and Moonlight State and presented by Chris the region. The ABC recognises that rural the erosion of its important emergency Masters, which investigated Queensland and regional Australia is important. information role during Tasmania’s Police Corruption and resulted in the According to Terrill, The ABC is important recent flooding crisis. Fitzgerald Inquiry. because there are no commercial The Forum ended at 2pm and the He said that he does not regard the ABC influences, it is protected by Government candidates stayed for a while chatting as a left leaning organisation but sees legislation and the ABC can generate to and drinking tea with the twenty it as practicing critical journalism. He community conversations by looking at or so people who had attended. The sees it as an important cultural icon and things differently. The Greens have always atmosphere was very collegial and not feels that public broadcasting can be a been supporters of the ABC. in any way combative. real symbol of society. He sees the ABC Following these three presentations the as underfunded and argued that it is Forum Chair, Trevor Wright read out two regrettable that things are so constricted. statements, one provided by Justine He feels that there is not enough Australian NSW Keay (Braddon Labor candidate) and one drama on the ABC, perhaps because of Conference - Talking Points provided by Andrew Nikolic (Bass sitting this. member and Liberal candidate). Mr Nikolic The biennial NSW conference was Roy Ramage spoke next. He was born in made the claim in his statement that hosted by Newcastle Branch, and Tasmania but worked in South Australia for “In fact, funding for the ABC has been, attended by 40 members from across 20 years and was responsible there for the and will be, higher every year under the NSW, and Ranald Macdonald and Jeff project management of introducing solar Turnbull Liberal Team than the last full year Waters from Victoria. Michelle Guthrie,
Page 18 new MD of the ABC, was a guest major successes. A repercussion of the cuts’, imperilling its breadth and diversity. speaker. strategic shift, in the context of limited Increasing pressure to merge the ABC and There were a number of reports and resources and diminished funding, SBS can be anticipated, bringing with it presentations to the Conference; here has been cuts to programs and staff the threat of advertising on the ABC. across Current Affairs, FM and Radio are some highlights as remembered by MICHELLE GUTHRIE: ABC Managing National. The reporting of news from Ed Davis, NSW Friends Vice-President, Director: Ms Guthrie spoke with overseas has been hard hit, with long with appropriate apologies to the enthusiasm and passion about her new presenters for points missed: established and expert correspondents such as Sean Dorney made redundant. job, and the challenge of getting to know Chris Cartledge, Webmaster: the There is now no in-house drama or as many ABC staff as possible right national website for ABC Friends is documentaries; such programs are across Australia, and answered questions now developed and operating well. produced through joint funding with about her vision for the ABC as well as It contains a wealth of information commercial production companies. This the challenges faced. There was prior on the ABC and on how to support arrangement means a loss of control for agreement with NSW Friends that the the Friends’ campaign in the federal the ABC in its production of programs. content of her address and discussion election. Campaign material can be The ABC is suffering from ‘a thousand would not be published. ED. ordered from the website. Social media, and Facebook in particular, have been showcasing Friends’ videos, with stellar sharing of the short, comedic videos emphasising the critical Mike Brady’s importance of defending the funding and independence of the ABC. Branch ABC song websites, where operating, continue to be relevant and a vital source for local Where would we be without our ABC news. That’s why we stand here so proud It’s not for sale, it was built to last James Buchanan, Secretary and That’s why we need to say it loud Treasurer: public liability insurance is available for any event held under the Where would we be without our ABC auspices of the NSW Branch. Capitation fees are currently paid to Branches at And everything that it means $2 per member. The NSW Committee It’s brought us drama, docos and comedy will be exploring an increase in light of And great investigative teams changes to the scale of membership fees. Branches were reminded that they But there are some who’d like to see it gone can request one-off allocations in funds To suit their commercial end for special events. Armidale is currently But it still stands for truth and reason the only Branch that charges separate And that’s why we’ll defend membership fees. Top: Ranald Macdonald, Mal Jason Lowe, Special Events: Friends’ Hewitt, Michelle Guthrie, Jeff Where would we be without our ABC merchandise is currently handled from Waters, Quentin Dempster. We’d make it stronger if we could Melbourne but some supplies are Above: James and Susan So just keep your grubby mitts off available at short notice from Jason. Buchanan, retiring NSW Cos if it goes, it’s gone for good The next Sydney event is the 40th Treasurer. Friends’ Anniversary Dinner on Friday Below: Conference Choir So just keep your bloody, grubby mitts off 12 August; Richard Glover will be sings “Where Would We Be Cos if it goes it’s gone for good the Guest Speaker. Update is now a Without Our ABC?” national magazine, with content from NSW and other branches. Multiple copies of Update can be requested by any member. The Victorian Branch has a deal with Collins Bookshops resulting in a discount on purchases for members of ABC Friends. NSW Friends are exploring whether this can be made available in this and other states. Quentin Dempster, Author, Journalist and Friend of the Friends: recently departed ABC CEO, Mark Scott, had taken the ABC down the path of increased digitilisation; iView and ABC on-line have both been
Page 19 NSW Branch News
on ABC programming. positive support from the ALP, who Armidale Unfortunately, the needs of the national pointed to their record of funding the The activities of the Armidale group broadcasters and the wishes of their ABC and endorsement of its editorial over the last three months focussed on audiences did not feature strongly in independence. The survey outcome was the run-up to the Federal election. A the advertised pledges of any of the conveyed to our members. tight contest was expected between major parties. So the work of the State No response was received from the the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Barnaby Branch in circulating suggestions on National party member and candidate, Joyce, and his predecessor in the seat of publicity content and in sending out FABC and our requests for a meeting were New England, the independent Mr Tony advertising posters was really appreciated ignored. We found this surprising, given Windsor (an active advocate for the ABC). by the Armidale group. the important role the ABC plays in rural & Accordingly, individual Friends put before In the event, Mr Joyce won New England regional communities, particularly in times candidates their concerns, including the with a relatively comfortable majority. In of emergencies. funding of the ABC and SBS. The Friends’ this he was probably aided by the splitting A press release before the election resulted committee mounted a presence in the of non-National votes between the eleven in some good online coverage, but without monthly market. This was successful in other candidates, most of whom had an effective “stunt”, we got little response engaging people in conversation, gaining progressive policies. Now Armidale from the largely tame local media. Perhaps many names of possible new members Friends will direct its persuasive lobbying there are lessons here for next time. and discovering the wide range of ABC to him. television programs enjoyed by them. Our members attended a “Meet the Market participants also appreciated Candidates Forum” and asked all ABCF’s bumper stickers and badges. candidates if they would support and Northern Rivers fight for, restoration of ABC funding The The group’s president submitted to This Branch has two notionally marginal Greens, Labor and the Animal Justice the local newspaper an excellent article seats: Richmond, held by the ALP and party reflected ABC Friends values, while on the importance of the two national Page, by the Nationals. the Nationals candidate supported the broadcasters, stressing the Government’s budget cuts to the ABC. successive funding cuts and their impact Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on on ABC programming. one`s enthusiasm for the political process, Upon returning from overseas, I was again I missed much of the excitement/tedium struck by our good fortune in Australia Unfortunately, the needs of the national of the election campaign, being out of the to enjoy the quality entertainment and broadcasters and the wishes of their country. objective reporting of our ABC. audiences did not feature strongly in the election campaign. However in anticipation of an election, and Peter Dickson, President prior to the budget, the Branch developed ABC Friends Northern Rivers The activities of the Armidale group a survey of potential support for the value, over the last three months focussed on future role and funding of ABC, which the run-up to the Federal election. A was sent to candidates of the three major tight contest was expected between Blue Mountains parties – Labor, Greens and the Nationals. the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Barnaby Blue Mountains branch has worked hard The survey was picked up by a number of Joyce, and his predecessor in the seat of over the last few years to raise community other Branches . New England, the independent Mr Tony awareness of the damage inflicted on the Windsor (an active advocate for the ABC). In summary, unqualified support came ABC by the now on-going budget cuts. Accordingly, individual Friends put before from the Greens candidates with very Our efforts focused on participating in candidates their concerns, including the funding of the ABC and SBS. The Friends’ committee mounted a presence in the monthly market. This was successful in Blue Mountains’ engaging people in conversation, gaining Meet the many names of possible new members Candidates and discovering the wide range of ABC Forum – from left television programs enjoyed by them. – Terry Morgan Market participants also appreciated (Greens), Sue ABCF’s bumper stickers and badges. Templeman (Labor), Sen. The group’s president submitted to Doug Cameron the local newspaper an excellent article (labor), Barry on the importance of the two national Redshaw broadcasters, stressing the Government’s (President) successive funding cuts and their impact
Page 20 parades; two large Stop the Chop banners When the possibility of a July election with the large crowd. B1 enjoyed himself placed in strategic places in the lower and surfaced we made the decision to immensely while B2 was impeded by a upper mountains at various times during organise a Meet the Candidates forum seriously sideways slipping head but still 2015 and 2016; posters in community which we hosted in May. The forum was managed to go the distance. While our notice boards; stalls; community attended by four candidates. The then parade group was considerably smaller presentations; the Stop the Chop A6 hand- sitting Liberal member was unable to than in previous years due to illnesses, outs, which proved to be very effective and attend. In their opening addresses all people being away as well as others popular as it presented the facts in a short candidates expressed their full support moving house, we were still a visible and concise format. President Mal Hewitt for the ABC and the need for proper presence. and Campaign Co-ordinator Phil Greenidge funding. The forum drew a full house with • Campaign Co-ordinator Phil were also interviewed on Blue Mountains questions being raised on many topics of Greenidge’s presentation to a local local radio. concern to Blue Mountains constituents. community organisation’s monthly In addition to our Meet the Candidates meeting. forum, our last pre election efforts also Thanks to our committee and all who included: have been able to help us in our efforts to • An information table at a ‘Politics in the raise the public awareness of the issues Pub’ held in Springwood which received facing the ABC, its staff and therefore good support from the ‘P in the P’ its viewers, listeners and users. Special audience. thanks to Ron Fuller for all his ongoing • Our involvement in the very big support in many areas and for setting Blue Mountains Winter Magic Festival up and dismantling our stalls (a 5.30am where we held an information stall and effort for Winter Magic!). To Bev and participated in the Grand Parade. Our Barry Redshaw for all their efforts and stall attracted good attention (assisted without whom our stalls would not have by the Bananas without Pyjamas happened. To Phil Greenidge for all his banner) and was staffed by a number of work and support and to Tony Young for volunteers. In the parade we were joined his expertise, design work, organising all by Bananas in Pyjamas, B1 and B2 (aka our advertising/promotional material and President Barry Redshaw and Grandson his setup and operation of any equipment Justin Boersh) which resonated very well we needed. Libby Blackburn Above: Politics in the Pub - Libby Blackburn at the Friends Table. fabcnswbm.org.au Below: Winter Magic parade in Katoomba.
Page 21 charging for iView? It is thought highly NSW Branch News unlikely. Quentin Dempster reminded us that a Federal ICAC is essential. After all corruption does not stop at state borders: it is everywhere, as shown so clearly on a stupid, ideologically driven decision. the “Four Corners” programs.” Central Coast We relinquished our access to all those countries, thus reducing our influence Election campaign activities. State Conference in the region. It’s what is known as soft As part of the campaign several branch John and Margaret Lund were our diplomacy. We need to watch carefully members were active at four Meet delegates at the biannual State what happens at our ABC. the Candidates Forums held on the Conference organised by the Hunter Valley At the Conference Ranald Macdonald. Central Coast, handing out materials branch in Newcastle. Convenor of the National ABC Friends and displaying posters sent to us by the Action Committee, brought us up to campaign committee. Two marginal seats date with the fighting campaign. There (Robertson and Dobell) were at stake on are “advertisements”, yes promotions the Central Coast. The largest Forum was for the ABC, going out on social media probably at the Mingara Club organised already. You may have seen Tim Storey by the Express Advocate, a News Limited singing, “Where Would We Be Without local paper, on 8th June (approx 250 our ABC?” Everyone was adamant that people). Questions were invited prior to we must never succumb to advertising: the meeting. Our branch submitted these it changes the whole basis of the ABC in writing and again at the meeting itself, independence. The ABC Friends is especially probing policies in regards to Saabra Lane with Central Coast actually a lobby group but without the ABC funding. These particular questions Branch members. enormous funds available to big business were NOT dealt with by the organisers, not and unions. Never did I envisage that I surprisingly. John has been our Treasurer for several would be part of a lobby group but that Several A3 posters were appended to bill years and Margaret our Newsletter editor is what we are. We are willing to vote for boards and notice boards in public places for the same period. Regrettably both will candidates who will support the ABC, by committee members, close to posters be resigning their important functions at which means we need to get a statement of candidates. Regrettably, the mature age the August Branch AGM but will remain of intentions from our candidates. It seems of our members is a limitation that we have active as committee members. People that the Xenophon Team is considering to accept. returning to pre-Abbott funding. Perhaps interested in taking over these roles However, the branch rented and organised we could encourage him. After all the ABC please contact Convenor Klaas Woldring. a Market Stall at the Avoca Beach Market is essential for democracy because it is Margaret’s report of the State Conference on Sunday 26th June, see below. This is owned by the people and is not for profit. contained details about the campaigns. one of busiest Market Stalls on the Central More letters please, particularly to Mr. We cannot publish all of them here but the Coast. Approx 2000+ visitors turned Xenophon. mood is reflective of the crisis the ABC up. We had a central position there and finds itself in. Quentin Dempster stated that the Baird were able to distribute around 300 Stop “The ABC budget has been cut and cut Government is getting away with murder the Chop cards with the ABC cuts on and this started, you may remember, with in NSW and there is No “Stateline” the back, and around 50 of the new blue Hawke/Keating and it continues apace trying to keep him and his government blue membership forms. To simply have now with Turnbull. It is a miracle that honest, exposing what they are really up a presence there, complete with the new the ABC does as well as it does. This to. Quentin pointed out that Mark Scott banner, was undoubtedly helpful for the is really because of the dedication and came to the ABC as Managing Director campaign. We were less successful with responsibility to quality of the ABC Staff. at an opportune time, with Wayne Swan the “We pledge to” cards. They take a lot Everyone at the Conference agreed that the then treasurer increasing the money more time and explanation and may be the cutting of the Australian Television for the ABC. This enabled Mr Scott to less suitable for markets than other new Network to Asia and the Pacific was re-prioritise. Although many of us do not promotional material. Our membership participate in social media, this is where now stands at 236. the growth has been. The most popular Klaas Woldring, Convenor. news on Facebook and Twitter is the ABC. Perhaps the ABC should be getting some income from this. The ABC led the change into digital media. Podcasts of ABC Hunter programs are very popular, not just here Members of the Hunter branch were but around the world and the numbers are pleased to host the biennial conference increasing. iView, a technology not readily of the N.S.W. and A.C.T. ABC Friends taken up by commercial stations, has which was held at the Travelodge Hotel in been a huge success. (25 million usages Newcastle on the very stormy weekend a year)! “Cleverman” the new serial on a of 4th and 5th June 2016. While the wild, Thursday night television, has been sold Stall at the Avoca Beach Market wet weather around the state presented onto Netflix. Will the ABC contemplate travel problems for some of the delegates
Page 22 from the south coast, there was a sizable and answered questions from the audience representation from most of the NSW afterwards. branches. The Hunter branch conducted an Local members were happy to assist the information stall at the Newcastle markets Executive Committee beforehand in the prior to the conference. conference planning and then in greeting Membership forms were handed out to and transporting delegates to and from market visitors and encouraging supportive railway stations and also Williamtown comments about the ABC were received Hank Willems, Allan Thomas (Hunter airport. We were gratified to receive from passing shoppers. positive feedback from the attendees President) and Colin Lawrence from about the conference organisation and the the Hunter branch of ABC Friends at A second pre-election information professional attention to every conference the Newcastle markets. stall was planned to be held in the detail of the Travelodge Hotel staff Paterson electorate at Port Stephens but members. unfortunately this had to be cancelled due conference sessions, particularly the to very wet weather. Fifteen Hunter members took advantage Sunday morning program when the new of the conference’s proximity to attend as Managing Director of the ABC, Michelle Margaret Conners – Publicity Officer delegates and observers for the various Guthrie spoke about her vision for the ABC ABC Friends Hunter Branch
Page 23 Join the ABC Friends There is strength in numbers, and every membership counts at this time of unprecedented attacks on ‘Our ABC’. To join go to www.abcfriends.org.au or phone your local contact below.
ABC Friends NEW SOUTH WALES & ACT President MAL HEWITT Friends of the ABC QUEENSLAND President ROSS MCDOWELL ABC Friends SOUTH AUSTRALIA & NT President JESSICA KNIGHT ABC Friends TASMANIA President MARGARET REYNOLDS ABC Friends VICTORIA President GRAEME CONNELLY ABC Friends WESTERN AUSTRALIA President BOBBIE MACKLEY
State Branches
Victoria/National Office – ABC Friends Queensland – Friends of the ABC Western Australia – ABC Friends GPO Box 4065 Melbourne VIC 3001 Ross McDowell Ms Bobbie Mackley Phone: 03 9682 0073 5 Dunn Ct Bunya Qld 4055 PO Box 534 Subiaco WA 6904 [email protected] Phone: 07 3870 7718 [email protected] [email protected]
NSW & ACT – ABC Friends Tasmania – ABC Friends Belinda Wright (Secretary) Mal Hewitt South Australia & Northern Territory 41 Sheppard Avenue Hillwood TAS 7252 FABC NSW PO Box 1391 North Sydney 2059 – ABC Friends Phone: 03 6394 8291 Phone: 02 4751 6227 Jessica Knight [email protected] [email protected] PO Box 7158 Hutt St Adelaide SA 5000 Phone: 0412 139 485 [email protected]
Regional Branches
ACT and Region Cowper Publicity Officers Northern Rivers Catherine Henderson Martin Miller (Secretary) Margaret and Robert Conners Jennie Hicks (Secretary) PO Box 3984 Bundilla Farm, 4 Wattle Street Phone 0431 958 911 Weston Creek ACT 2611 1516 Eastern Dorrigo Way Bolton Point NSW 2283 [email protected] Phone: 02 6288 0237 Ulong NSW 2450 Phone: 02 4959 8464
Mobile: 0409 989 550 Phone: 02 6654 5259 [email protected] Byron sub branch Jill Keogh [email protected] [email protected] Illawarra Phone: 02 6688 4558 Jan Kent (Secretary) [email protected]
Armidale Eastern Suburbs PO Box 336, Priscilla Connor (Secretary) Nizza Siano (Secretary) Tweed sub branch Unanderra 2526 41 Judith Street 16 Holland Rd Sandy Copley Phone/Fax: 02 4271 3531 Armidale NSW 2350 Bellevue Hill NSW 2023 Phone: 02 6677 1570 [email protected] Phone: 02 6772 2217 Phone/Fax: 02 9327 3423 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Mid North Coast Lismore sub branch Drusi Megget Therese Crollick Blue Mountains Great Lakes and 24 Arncliffe Ave Manning Valley Phone: 02 6624 2289 Barry Redshaw Port Macquarie NSW 2444 [email protected] 37 View Street Margaret Gardner Phone: 02 6583 8798 Lawson NSW 2783 49 Carmona Drive [email protected] Riverina / Murray Phone: 02 4759 2168 Forster NSW 2428 Drew Porter Harry Creamer [email protected] Phone: 02 6554 9181 PO Box 5659 PO Box 1888 [email protected] Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Port Macquarie 2444 Central Coast Phone: 02 6922 3813 Hunter Phone: 02 6582 6187 Klaas Woldring Mobile: 0409 369 253 Allan Thomas Mobile: 0431 158 252 6 Tourmaline Ave 7 Cantwell Road [email protected] Pearl Beach NSW 2256 Lochinvar NSW 2321 Phone: 02 4341 5170 Phone: 02 4930 7309 Shoalhaven [email protected] [email protected] Carmel McCallum PO 89 Cambewarra NSW 2540 Phone: 0414 392 660 [email protected]