ABC Parramatta Reception

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Acknowledgement of country

I want to begin by acknowledging the Dharug people who are the Traditional Owners of the place we are meeting.

I pay my respects to their Elders, past present and emerging.

I extend that respect to any First Nations people who are here today.

Introduction

Thank you Richard (Glover) for the kind introduction.

As with the ABC Chair, this too was my old stomping ground.

Indeed, I did go to school in Parramatta which, to my electorate of Greenway, is the eastern suburbs.

When I became Communications Minister, I invited the ABC Chair and Managing Director to keep me up-to-date about the ABC’s move out west.

So, I am thrilled to join you as the ABC’s Sydney headquarters begins its move to Parramatta.

The ABC’s new home is one that I already know well as the Member for Greenway.

We are soon-to-be neighbours!

In my first speech to Parliament, back in 2010, I spoke of the richness in diversity of the constituents I represent.

I’ve watched this area bloom into one of our most diverse and fastest-growing communities.

Our national broadcaster, much like our government, must strive to reach and represent all Australians.

The ABC’s relocation to Parramatta reflects this intent.

It is a key part of the ABC’s Five-Year Plan to move three quarters of it’s Sydney-based workforce away from the inner city.

And part of an even bigger plan to have more content makers working closer to the communities they serve, right around Australia

A local voice

With 48 regional bureaus, the ABC already has one of the largest rural reporting workforces in the world.

I welcome the additional 50-plus regional journalism positions, announced last year.

It is all part of your commitment to being a truly national broadcaster.

Labor is also committed to representing all Australians and supporting local journalism.

I am proud to be part of the most diverse government in our history.

We want to ensure that everyone, regardless of postcode or circumstance, is informed, connected and empowered.

A free, accessible and diverse media landscape is key to this.

That is why we made a $29 million election commitment for a local news and community broadcasting transition package to help regional, local and community news providers.

We were conscious of the need to act expeditiously given the unfolding print cost crisis.

On 28 September, I announced that 208 applicants will receive a share of the $15 million Regional and Local Newspaper Publishers Program to help absorb newsprint cost increases that threaten local journalism jobs and news production.

Under the program, $10 million has been set aside for regional newspapers and $5 million for independent suburban, First Nations and multicultural publishers.

Supporting the ABC

Of course, a strong and vibrant media sector would not be possible without our national broadcasters.

With independence enshrined in law, and public funding, the ABC adds to media diversity with a voice that is free from political and commercial interests.

Our Government has committed to reversing funding cuts of over $83 million to the ABC.

We have committed to increasing funding for ABC International as part of and Indo-Pacific broadcasting strategy.

And speaking of Five-Year-Plans, we have one for you too.

In the lead-up to the election, we committed to five-year funding terms for both the ABC and SBS.

Why? Because it takes funding beyond the three-year election cycle.

Five-year funding terms will give you greater stability, more time to plan ahead, and more room to innovate.

The ABC supports diverse ecosystems, including across education, screen production and international broadcasting, for example, and longer-term planning cycles supports greater stability for these activities, and efficiency too.

We don’t want an ABC looking over its shoulder. We want an ABC that is looking forwards – focussed on delivery for Australians, not a round of arbitrary cuts.

Conclusion

In the ABC’s 90^th year, it is wonderful to see the ABC’s vision for itself becoming a reality.

A new state-of-the-art facility, here in Parramatta Square, will be a hub for innovation and collaboration; a hub well connected by trains, buses, light rail, ferries and a future metro.

Where, I understand, passers-by will be able to see straight into the studios.

Talk about transparency!

With full acknowledgement of ABC staff consultations, and subject to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works inquiry now on foot, I wholeheartedly support the move the Parramatta.

Look, I may be biased, but western Sydney really is a vibrant and wonderful place to live, work, study and raise a family.

It is also an ideal location for the ABC to modernise and enhance its presence.

The relocation will not only serve this fast-growing and diverse community.

It will also serve all Australians – currently over 20 million per month – who will be tuning in to see and hear their favourite presenters, journalists, shows and characters.

Thank you for the invitation to speak today and welcome to the neighbourhood!