How to find your Parliamentary Representative
- Australian Parliament
- Search for Senators and Members
- Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
- Find my Electorate
Write a letter
Write to Politicians, ABC Board and Management (Contact details below)
Write to the ABC Board and ABC Management. Online petitions are easy to use. But sending your own letter has a great impact.
If you want to maintain an independent public broadcaster, then you must speak out.
Overwhelming public support in 1996 prevented the Mansfield Review from doing ‘the job’ on the ABC it was established to do. Many shareholder actions have influenced decision-makers since.
In your own words, let politicians know:
- that your appreciation of what the ABC brings to your life, through television, radio and online, is passionate.
- of your immovable belief that the ABC belongs to the people of Australia; that it must be well-resourced to be an independent, comprehensive and innovative broadcaster; and that it must maintain its high standard of news, current affairs, and quality Australian drama.
- of your commitment to the principle that independence can only be guaranteed if the ABC is fully funded by government.
- of your conviction that ABC independence must not be compromised by government intervention or risked through advertising, sponsorship or commercial deals.
- of your understanding that the ABC is seriously underfunded. ABC base triennial funding needs to be restored in real terms* and delivered in a manner that upholds the ABC’s independence.
*“The 2016–17 operational revenue from Government of $838 million represents a decrease in real funding of $346 million or 29.2% since 1985–86 as depicted in the chart ‘ABC Operational Revenue from Government’.” From ABC Annual Report 2016 - page 169 available here.
The Funding the Australian Broadcasting is a valuable resources that explores some of the debates about recent budget measures for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), including efficiency measures and how these have been alternatively described and understood.
Seek the Chair’s assurance that they will ensure the ABC flourishes as Australia’s truly independent national public broadcaster—independent of government influence and uncompromised by commercial activities.
Independence
Independence from government and business allows the ABC to scrutinise the activities of governments and other powerful forces, to report without fear or favour.
Independence enables the ABC to be innovative and to be a comprehensive broadcaster catering for diverse interests. Unlike commercial broadcasters, it is not restricted to providing only what advertisers will pay for.
You action is needed to ensure the ABC’s independence is not lost – through government interference or back-door commercialisation.
Click here for details of your local Federal Senators and Members.
Politicians
Hon. Anthony Albanese MP
Prime Minister
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7700
Fax: 02 6277 4100
Email: [email protected]
Hon Michelle Rowland
Minister for Communications
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7480
Email: [email protected]
ABC Board
Members of the ABC Board can be contacted using the following details:
c/o ABC Secretariat
14th floor 700 Harris St
Ultimo NSW 2007
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 02 8333-5312
Ita Buttrose AC OBE
Chair of the ABC Board
c/o ABC Secretariat
GPO Box 9994 Sydney NSW 2001
Email: [email protected]
David Anderson
Managing Director of the ABC
GPO Box 9994 Sydney NSW 2001
Email: [email protected]
Other Board Members:
- Peter Lewis
- Georgie Somerset
- Joseph Gersh
- Fiona Balfour
- Mario D'Orazio
- Peter Tonagh
- Dr Jane Connors - Staff Elected Director
Protest to the Government and/or ask the Opposition what it will do for the ABC
Tell politicians:
- I value the ABC.
- Our treasured national public broadcaster must be well funded and remain free from commercial influence and political interference.
- The ABC’s international broadcasting is important to build good relations with people in other countries - Australia Network must be restored.
- Ask: What will the Government do to rebuild the ABC and address past broken promises?