The federal government has committed to legislating five-year funding terms for national public broadcasters the ABC and SBS.
Funding arrangements are not protected by law. Instead, successive governments have relied on convention to maintain funding levels over three-year terms.
The Albanese government introduced five-year funding terms last year. To safeguard the ABC and SBS from “funding cuts and political interference”, legislation will be introduced to embed the five-year funding terms in law.
The legislation will ensure “funding stability” for the ABC and SBS, said Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland, and act “as an important safeguard”.
It has also been announced that over two years – from 2026-27 – the ABC will receive additional funding of $83.1 million with ongoing funding of $43m per year after that.
Earlier this year, the Department of Communications and the Arts reviewed options to bolster the independence of the national broadcasters.
The review’s report – released on Tuesday – shows submissions received largely supported five-year funding terms. As well, it was proposed that the ABC and SBS present funding requirements to government earlier in the cycle to allow for long-term planning.
In response to the review, the government said it “supports the view that funding provided to the ABC and SBS should be grounded in evidence-based assessment of future funding and investment needs”.
As well as funding, the review also considered governance arrangements and appointment processes for the ABC and SBS boards.
“In making recommendations to the governor-general for appointments to the ABC and SBS boards, the government pays due regard to gender, diversity, and geographic balance, in the interests of both boards reflecting the diversity of the Australian community,” reads the government’s response.
ABC appoints new MD
Meanwhile, former Channel Nine head Hugh Marks has been appointed the ABC’s new managing director. Serving a five-year term from March 2025, Marks will also be Aunty’s editor-in-chief.
“Hugh is unusually well qualified to lead the ABC’s editorial and creative production teams online and in audio and video across the spectrum of ABC delivery responsibility in news, children’s education, documentary, international and diverse drama for Australian citizens as viewers, listeners and readers across every major delivery platform available,” said ABC chair Kim Williams.
Marks said he was excited to be leading the national broadcaster. “It is an amazing time to be working in media.”
Marks replaces David Anderson who announced his resignation in August.
SBS appoints new board director
A new director has been appointed to the board of the SBS. Dr Nicholas Pappas will serve on the board of the multiculture broadcaster for a five-year term.
Recommended by the independent nomination panel as part of a merit-based process, Pappas’ appointment fills a vacancy created by the departure of Peeyush Gupta, whose term concluded on 16 October.
A long-term advocate for multicultural Australia, Pappas brings a wide and varied skillset to the SBS board. He has a strong involvement in the Greek community in Australia and is chair of the Australian chapter of The Hellenic Initiative as well as a director of Sydney’s Hellenic Club and Melbourne’s Hellenic Museum.
With an emphasis on culture and sport, Pappas holds a number of chair and directorship positions across a variety of sectors – including the Bank of Sydney, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and was formerly on the board of trustees for the Powerhouse Museum.
Having worked as a commercial litigation lawyer for four decades, Pappas also has extensive experience in the legal sector.
In recognition of his lifelong achievements, in 2013 Pappas was appointed to the General Division of the Order of Australia for services to the arts, rugby league and the Greek-Australian community.
“The SBS board plays an important role in ensuring the SBS fulfils its charter to contribute to the diversity of Australian broadcasting and digital media services, as well as promoting awareness and understanding of Australian cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity,” said Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland. “I look forward to working with Dr Pappas and the SBS board on continuing to achieve excellence in Australian broadcasting into the future.”
Leave a Reply