ABC Studios Parramatta opening

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I acknowledge the Traditional Owners, and pay respect to elders past and present, and First Nations people attending.

It is wonderful to be here among so many distinguished guests, staff and friends of the ABC. 

As Minister for Communications, I’m committed to making Australia the most connected continent in the world.

The ABC is an innovative national platform that connects the hearts and minds of Australians every day – through television and radio broadcasting, digital media, podcasts over the ABC Listen App, streaming over iView, and much more.

And it does so from offices and studios across eight state and territory capitals, 58 regional bureaux, and beyond, from 12 international posts. 

When ABC Managing Director, David Anderson, appeared before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for the inquiry into the fit-out of these new offices, he said the decision to relocate up to 300 ABC staff to a new bureau in Parramatta was “an obvious step”.

Indeed it was: one in every ten Australians live in Greater Western Sydney, and this area is one of the fastest-growing corridors in the country.

As an MP from Western Sydney, the rebalancing of investment in cultural infrastructure in the west is a matter close to my heart.

So it is instructive to see the ABC take the initiative in identifying, self-funding, and implementing this move – and I acknowledge the ABC Board for its foresight and David Anderson for his leadership.

And while, Parramatta is an eastern destination, from my electorate of Greenway, it is with great enthusiasm that we celebrate the official opening of ABC Studios here this evening.

These facilities will serve the community, while enriching the civic life of the nation.

From here, the ABC will tell more Australian stories – with news, current affairs, entertainment, sports and culture – as well as the ideas, events, places and faces of Western Sydney.

In doing so, the ABC will continue to deliver on its Charter, which is enshrined in legislation – contributing to our sense of national identity, informing and entertaining, and reflecting the cultural diversity of the Australian community.

Around the world, there is evidence that shows a correlation between strong public broadcasting and healthy democracy. 

To deliver on its Charter – as a trusted pillar of our democracy and one of our most important cultural institutions – the public broadcaster must have stability.

That is why the Albanese Government has delivered on its commitment to stable, five-year funding terms for the ABC.

And it is why we commit to go further, and cement five-year funding terms in legislation – as an expression of the Australian Parliament about the importance of the stability of public broadcasting.

But to deliver on its Charter, the public broadcaster must also continue to adapt – which is precisely what this move to Parramatta exemplifies.

Here in Sydney, the ABC has grown up and moved out home!

As we look forward to the ABC’s centenary, we’ll enjoy seeing and hearing more from ABC Parramatta Studios.

Thank you.