UpdateDecember 2014 Vol 22, No. 3 Thrice Yearly Newsletter QUENTIN DEMPSTER SACKED! broadcasting journalism, Sean Dorney and Jim Middleton, and there will be 400 From the President more (for now) across all of the operations Continued page 2 of the ABC. Can the ABC survive such a devastating loss of collective experience, knowledge and culture? Clearly, the answer is NO, without radically changing Inside Update the organization itself. Are we seeing Do you feel able to help out at ABC the creation of Abbott’s “cheersquad Friends NSW 4 for Ausralia” with the collusion of ABC ABC Bias Argument Distracts From management, as we lose the very The Real Debate: The Numbers 5 people who have shone a light into the Is this the beginning of the end dark recesses of both state and federal of the ABC as we know it? 6 governments, as Quentin has repeatedly In defence of Radio National 7 done with such courage and passion for Sean Dorney 8 or the NSW ABC audience there the truth. Response from Sean Dorney to could be no more symbolic action I wrote the following to Quentin on award presentation 9 F on the part of ABC management behalf of Friends of the ABC: “We are Branch News 10 than to show Quentin Dempster the door devastated to be losing you in the insanity Malcolm in the Muddle 16 as part of the current staff pogroms. He of cutting state-based 7.30 Reports ABC not to blame 17 represents all that we value so much in as the ABC circles the wagons around Jim Middleton 18 our ABC journalists and presenters – Sydney, abandoning its charter as a Political bastardry and nincompoops experience, wisdom, skill, knowledge, national broadcaster. You have been a consign ABC to churnalism 19 understanding, generosity, sensitivity, true friend to Friends over many years, Quentin Dempster’s ABC rally humour, courage, honesty, integrity and, as well as a unique source of information, speech Page20 1 above all, trust (qualities we would struggle insight and wisdom. You have been The Lewis Efficiency Review 22 to find in the commercial media!). We willing to ‘go anywhere’ to engage with Somerville cartoon 22 have just farewelled two other icons of our branches, and share your knowledge Update Publication Information Update is published three times a year by From the President Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. (FABC), PO Box 1391 NORTH SYDNEY 2059. Printpost approved PP245059/00002 and experience. My task as President A MEMORABLE AWARDS has been made so much easier by your To become a member phone NIGHT (02) 9990 0600 or email to instant response to my sometimes naïve [email protected] or obtuse questions – the voice of the 150 Friends gathered at the Ultimo ABC or access our website Friends has been louder and stronger Headquarters on Friday 28th November www.fabcnsw.org.au. thanks to your unfailing support.” to honour two iconic veterans of ABC broadcasting, with 84 years of service Extracts from newspapers and other Within two hours of ABC managing publications appearing in Update do not between them – Sean Dorney, for over director Mark Scott’s announcement to necessarily reflect the views of the 40 years the voice in and of Papua New members of FABC. staff on Monday 24th November that 400 Guinea and the Pacific, and Jim Middleton, Update is distributed to all members of jobs would be lost around the country, for many years the ABC’s voice from FABC, as part of the membership fee. Director of News, Kate Torney, called Update is also supplied to journalists, Canberra. We were delighted to have Jim Dempster into her office to tell him he had politicians and libraries across Australia. join us from Melbourne, but sadly Sean It is edited and produced in Sydney but no future role at the ABC. was unable to come down from Brisbane. contributions are welcome from NSW country “I will be among 300 staff retrenched and interstate branches. It was an evening to reminisce, honour, and Material may be quoted or reproduced in the first round of the ABC’s cuts,” he maintain the rage, as both were victims of from Update provided the source is said. the governments savage cuts. We were acknowledged and reproduction is sent to “This is a very emotional time for me. entertained by Jimmy Shaw and his trio, as the President FABC. “I have worked extremely hard for the well as Angela, our Membership Secretary, Would you like to receive Update in beautiful voice in “Summertime.” Thanks magazine electronically? ABC to faithfully use the opportunity it Save the planet's trees and The Friends has given me.” to Jason Lowe and his hard-working Events printing and postage costs and read Update Committee for another great night On why he was being “sacked”, magazine on your computer. Each quarter, when Update is published, you Dempster says he “only ever sought THE LEWIS REVIEW will receive an email with a link to the latest to uphold the integrity of Her Majesty’s issue (each magazine is around 0.5MB). institutions, the Parliament and the police, The so-called “efficiency review” into You can try this now by going to our in Queensland and NSW.” the ABC by Peter Lewis has, at last, website at www.fabcnsw.org.au and been released, after much lobbying and clicking on Update. Ms Torney confirmed she had met with applications under FOI by Friends and If you prefer this delivery option for future Dempster on Monday to inform him he Updates please send an email to the other interested parties. In a process that would have no future position with the Membership Secretary. has been under a cloud from the start, by ABC. Who to write… a person with an initial conflict of interest, “It is with deep regret that we lose Anyone seeking basic information about under instructions from a government writing to persons of influence might find it someone with the experience, integrity openly hostile to the ABC, the result is helpful to go to the FABC NSW website and reputation of Quentin and viewers www.fabc.org.au where there are some rather predictable, and will result, if all its and colleagues alike will greatly miss the menu items under "Be Active" leading to recommendations are followed, in more enormous contribution he has made over pages of information: Who can I write to? significant cuts to ABC staff further down such a long period,” she said. What can I say? the track. I am indebted to Richard Gates, FABC (NSW) Executive Committee Ms Torney said Dempster’s “deep former President of Northern Rivers Branch, Office Bearers understanding of the mechanics of for his dogged and persistent pursuit of President - Mal Hewitt government and his extensive contacts the report and its findings, and you will Phone: 02 4751 6227 on all sides of politics have put 7.30 NSW Email: [email protected] find Richard’s summary of the report - and before that Stateline - on top of in this Update, and his comments and Secretary & Treasurer - James Buchanan issues in NSW and ahead of the pack in Phone: 02 9371 5621 observations on it. Email: [email protected] reporting on them”. Membership Secretary - Angela Williamson “The public is aware of Quentin’s STAFF REDUNDANCY Phone: 02 4883 4048 outstanding track record as an award- CONCERNS Email: [email protected] winning journalist,” she said. I wrote to Mark Scott to express the Update Editor - Mal Hewitt PO Box 1391 N. Sydney NSW 2059 “What they don’t see is his commitment concern of Friends that the process Email: [email protected] behind the scenes, mentoring, which was being used to select staff Cartoonist - Phil Somerville encouraging and guiding colleagues. He for redundancy (the so-called “Hunger Editorial Cartoonist for The Sun Herald is passionate about the craft and role of Games”) was causing a great deal of stress (Sydney) journalism and is always keen to share [email protected] and distress to staff in a climate already his experience with those around him.” fraught with great feelings of insecurity. Layout Artist - Paul Martens [email protected] We must therefore ask the obvious I had an immediate response from Alan question of ABC Management – “Why are Sunderland, the senior manager in charge Membership Line: 02 9990 0600 you sacking him?” of the process. Alan conceded that the Page 2 first week of discussions with staff might branches in their local activities. I wish to in a much more effective and efficient have been handled differently, and I was pay tribute to the magnificent dedication of organization, better serving the needs assured that the process was under two departing branch presidents, Margaret of our members. These changes have review, in consultation with staff and union Foy of Blue Mountains and Richard involved hundreds of hours of work, done representatives, and that I would be kept Gates on Northern Rivers, who have both always with willingness and good cheer. informed. I acknowledge the challenge for provided inspirational and highly effective Angela’s personal commitment to keeping management where, if a unit is to lose 50% leadership in two of our very strong tabs on members is legendary, as is James’ of its staff, they must retain the right mix branches. You have both given your all to diligence and efficiency (and of course of skills and experience to keep the unit the cause, and have both earned a rest, the ever present Susan as well), Chris’s functioning. although from my knowledge of both of technological mastery and Jason’s capacity you, I can’t see you resting for long.