In a move that will no doubt exacerbate relationships that are already on the rocks, Tony Abbott has launched an “efficiency study” into the ABC and SBS.
The project, which was announced on Thursday afternoon by Malcolm Turnbull, will review ABC and SBS spending and work practices. The announcement has led to speculation that there will be budget cuts ahead for the broadcasters.
The announcement comes at a pretty awkward time for Turnbull and the government. Tony Abbott recently managed to kick himself in the face again by calling the waahhhhmbulance and chastising the ABC for picking on Australia (and by Australia, he means his policies).
“A lot of people feel at the moment that the ABC instinctively takes everyone’s side but Australia’s,” Abbott said in an interview with 2GB’s Ray Hadley.
Turnbull was quick to distance himself from those comments and reassured the Australian public that he is a staunch defender of the ABC.
“The study will focus on the costs of inputs that is the ‘back of house’ day-to-day operational and financial operations, structures and processes applied to delivering ABC and SBS programs, products and services”.
“It is not the study of the quality of the national broadcaster’s programs, products and services, or the responsibilities set out in their charters but of the efficiency of the delivery of those services to the Australian public”.
Tony Abbott is definitely right though. We don’t need bias in the media.
Photo: via Getty
Via SMH
