Buttrose says ABC staff need not fear budget cuts

Former Assistant Editor

Budget cuts are set to come into effect at the ABC in the 2019-20 financial year, but new chair Ita Buttrose says staff don’t need to be nervous.

The Coalition Government announced cuts in 2018 set to cost the public broadcaster the tune of $83.7 million over three years.

“I wouldn’t be nervous at all,” Buttrose told ABC Radio Melbourne.

She insisted that there are no plans to shut down any ABC radio or TV stations, but admitted; “There are many things that can be cut. There are many things that can be changed.”

The ABC chair explained to host Rafael Epstein and she and MD David Anderson were set to meet with new communications minister Paul Fletcher.

“It’s no good bleating and whimpering [about the cuts],” she said.

“We’ve got to present a case as to why we need it, what it’s for, where it’ll take us, what our plans are for the future, what the digital impact will be on the way we do broadcasting.

“When we have the plan, we will discuss it more fully with the Minister for Communications and the Prime Minister.”

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