Media Statement - 23rd March 2006
John Howard is determined to crush the independence of the ABC.
Last week we had the plan to allow advertising on the ABC, today Senator Coonan announced that the Government intends to abolish the position of staff-elected director on the ABC Board.
For ten long years, John Howard has pursued a policy of starving the ABC of funds and stacking the board with his political mates to bully the ABC into giving the Government favourable coverage.
John Howard regards the ABC Board as a private club, with memberships to be handed out to his supporters as a reward.
The staff-elected position is the one appointment that he cannot control.
The staff-elected director makes an important contribution to the ABC's corporate governance.
The staff-elected director is able to give the Board an important insight into ABC operations. In some cases, they are the only person with the expertise to question the advice coming from the ABC's executive.
In 2001 Government Senators unanimously endorsed a Senate Committee recommendation to retain the staff-elected director's position.
Nothing has changed except that Government now has a Senate majority.
A strong and independent ABC is an essential pillar of our democracy.
This is an arrogant, out of control government that is determined to undermine one of our most important national institutions.
Labor will continue to fight the Government's attempts to destroy the ABC.