National Party Senator, Senator Bridget McKenzie today welcomed support from Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party for the Government’s media reforms.
“I appreciate the support for my Private Member’s Bill that will greatly enhance ABC services to rural and regional areas.
“One Nation gave their support on the condition my Private Members Bill inclusions were adopted by the government and presented to the Senate.in the Government’s Media Reform Bill.” Senator McKenzie said.
These are:
Service provision to regional and rural Australians be included in the ABC charter.
Two ABC Board Members have extensive background in rural and regional Australia.
An ABC Rural and Regional Advisory Board be set up and be consulted if any changes are made to ABC rural and regional services.
The ABC report employment in Regional Australia against those employed in capital cities.
“This is great news for people who live in regional areas who have been complaining long and hard about the lack of services provided by the ABC.
“They have had to suffer through an ABC management decision to concentrate services in the capital cities while regional services diminish.
“I am a great supporter of the ABC, its service to regional and rural areas in the past has been exceptional and the allocation of staff and resources to regional areas will
again restore that service.
Senator McKenzie said the Bill will ensure a physical presence by the ABC in regional areas, a frequent delivery of rural and regional content and the representation of regions it services.
“The time for people to put up with a lack of services in regional and regional services must end along with ABC management’s obvious preference for the major cities.
“This Bill will halt the drainage of services; it will give regional and rural area an ABC that they, again, can be proud of.