No-one expected the ABC Friends logo to become a political football last year, but it did – and we now have a fabulous new look as a result of your support.

ABC members and supporters will remember the long-standing ABC Friends logo becoming a political issue in the lead up to last year’s Federal election, when Senator Andrew Bragg and some conservative commentators used the logo to attack the ABC.

ABC Friends had used the ABC lissajous (the curly symbol) for many years without any previous issue or complaint. In response to the furore, the ABC stated that it did not permit any of its “content, logos or intellectual property to be reproduced for political purposes”.

While not wanting to look like we were backing away from our fight to support the ABC against attacks on its independence and the Coalition’s massive cuts, ABC Friends also did not want to make it any easier for conservative forces to attack the ABC. As a result, a temporary logo was developed. 

And now, as a result of the strong financial support of our members and supporters, we are rolling out a new, refreshed logo and colours which will enable us to maintain the high quality and effectiveness of our campaign and informational materials.

The new logo is being used on our e-news and social media and a refreshed website will also be rolled out when resources allow.

Thank you to everyone who contributed. As you all know, the need for a trustworthy, independent public broadcaster has never been greater and so it is vital that we are able to produce engaging and accessible information to our existing networks and those we are yet to reach.

Cassandra Parkinson
National President
ABC Friends