Australia State Liberals Push for ABC, SBS Privatization
The State Liberals want ABC and SBS privatized and Tony Abbott is at the receiving end. State Liberals want Abbott to privatize the two companies should he win Prime Minister on September 14 elections. The interest on ABC and SBS remains high despite issues of noncompliance with their charters.
State Liberals are gunning for an initiative way ahead of the election. The party recommends selling the broadcasting companies to help raise funds for the government. Funds from privatization can be used to ease a portion of the government's financial crisis.
Victorian Liberal Party will open the motion on reviewing the conditions of ABC and SBS at the state conference this weekend. The motion will urge the federal coalition to conduct a complete "operational review" of the broadcasting companies. This will establish whether or not a partial or full privatisation is feasible.
The motion argues that public ownership and operations of SBS and ABC are no longer effective. To maintain their operations, these two companies should compete with private media instead.
''Public ownership of like corporations is not compatible with Coalition policies,'' the motion states as quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald. ''In a complex communication market where media outlets are required to set the agenda, ABC/SBS are finding it increasingly difficult to comply with their respective charters, thereby alienating constituents.''
Malcolm Turnbull, minister of Shadow Communications, rejected the proposal for privatisation.
''There are no plans to privatise the ABC or even review privatising the ABC.'' Turnbull's spokesperson told Fairfax Media.
''Everyone understands that in the Coalition it's the parliamentary party which sets the policy,'' he told reporters in Brisbane. ''We have no policy to go down that path. We have no intention of going down that path. And we won't go down that path.'' He further added.