ABC Shortwave Decision needs scrutiny

Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie, today attacked the ABC decision to axe
its shortwave services as ill conceived, ill-founded and not based on evidence.
In debating regional media law Senator McKenzie, said evidence to Senate committee
 was clear, that had the ABC (Regional and Rural Advocacy) Bill had been law, the ABC Board would not have the decision to end shortwave services to regional Northern Australia.
“The McKenzie proposals, outlined in my private senators Bill have been subject to
much debate this week in the wider media reform discussion. The Bill includes a
range of proposals include
Include regional Australia in the ABC charterTwo ABC  Board Members have an extensive background in regional Australiaand that an ABC Rural and Regional Advisory Board be established and consulted on any changes to country services by the ABC
“One Nation gave their support to Media Reform legislation on the condition my
Private Members Bill inclusions were part of media reform legislation. Senator
Xenophon has also indicated support for the Mckenzie proposals during the
Senate debate today
Speaking in the Senate today, Senator McKenzie said the ABC failed to credible evidence
to the senate when asked as to why they made the short-wave decision
The fact that the ABC shortwave listener guesstimation,”failed to take into account
the farmers, the fishermen, the cattlemen, the truck drivers, indigenous
communities, the Grey Nomads and other mobile users who depend on this service
who are now, literally, left in silence.
“By unilaterally deciding to terminate its short-wave services, the ABC has
effectively abandoned huge areas of the Northern Territory in addition to
breaking its own obligations under the ABC Charter with respect to our
neighbours in the Pacific.
“It is inevitable that short-wave will at some point be permanently withdrawn,
however this must not occur until solutions that are superior in quality,
reliability, coverage and access become available but right now they are not.
The ABC Board should revisit its decision, as a matter of urgency and the McKenzie
proposals adopted by cross bench senators to ensure regional and rural
Australia are not diminished by the public broadcaster with cuts to services as
the organisation chases ratings and the bright lights of capital cities,” Senator McKenzie said.
The committee’s report including Senator McKenzie’s
additional comments is available on the committee’s website at:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/Shortwaveradio/Report