ABC and SBS secure $4.2 billion for next three years

The Morrison Government has locked in committed and growing funding of $4.2 billion for the ABC and SBS over the period from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025, if they win the next election.

Minister for Communications, Paul Fletcher, said the funding will allow the ABC and SBS to continue to provide innovative, comprehensive and high-quality television, radio and digital media services to all Australians.

On the funding, Minister Fletcher said, “The ABC and SBS are essential components of Australia’s diverse media landscape.”

“We’ve delivered an increase in funding for both national broadcasters compared to both the 2016-19 and 2019-22 funding period. This funding commitment is designed to provide certainty for both broadcasters and is being announced well in advance of the next funding period to assist the ABC and SBS to develop their forward plans.”

The ABC will receive $3,284.9 million over the next three years. This includes $45.8 million under the Enhanced News Gathering program to strengthen local public interest journalism in regional communities. This is an increase of $87.2 million over the current triennium.

The ABC will also benefit from a return of indexation on base operational funding as outlined in the May 2021 Budget papers.

SBS will receive $953.7 million, including an additional $37.5 million in ongoing funding to support its long-term sustainability. This is an increase of $56.7 million over the current triennium.

The ABC and SBS will also receive additional funding to support the continuation and expansion of audio description services to blind and vision impaired Australians.

ABC Managing Director David Anderson, says, “On behalf of the ABC, I welcome the funding certainty this announcement brings to the national broadcaster for the next three years.”

“The $3.3 billion over the next triennium, announced by the Minister Paul Fletcher, sees the resumption of indexation, the continuation of the Enhanced Newsgathering (ENG) program that provides vital services across the country, and ongoing support for audio description services for blind or visually impaired audiences.”

“ENG funding has delivered more tailored news to local communities and has seen the ABC invest more in specialist resources that provide vital context and analysis about issues that matter to all Australians.”