I’m campaigning for the ABC in this election because I believe passionately in the importance of a well-funded public broadcaster.
To quote UNESCO "public broadcasting plays an irreplaceable role in providing citizens with information, education and entertainment free of commercial, state or political influences”.
Public broadcasting is a public service.
It aims to be accessible to all citizens, to be independent, and to be diverse in its programs and the audiences it reaches. These lofty goals go to the heart of what the ABC is.
Our public broadcaster should be the place where all Australians can go, confident that the news they receive will be free from misinformation and disinformation. It should be the home of quality Australian programs in drama, history, science, the arts, education, and more.
But to do this, to be the very best, the ABC must be properly funded.
I hope you will support our fight for a fearless independent ABC.
Without supporters like you, we could not do our work.
We invite you to become more involved with ABC Friends, by joining your state group here.
ABC Friends 2025 Federal Election Platform
Over the next 3 months ABC Friends will campaign across Australia in support of the ABC.
Our 2025 Federal Election Platform advocates for a properly funded, independent ABC which continues to play its role as a cornerstone of a strong democracy.
Our political leaders must do more to repair the harm that was done to the ABC, and prevent a further slide in the quality and quantity of its programs and services. Because we need the ABC, now more than ever.
Support our campaign for a fearless independent ABC
In January ABC Friends kicked off our campaign for the 2025 federal election. We want a fearless independent ABC that gives us tough, probing news and current affairs, that’s willing to take risks, that presents original Australian content.
But in recent years, as funding cuts took their toll it became increasingly difficult for the ABC to do these things.
More than 1000 staff were made redundant. Senior journalists, with decades of experience, made way for more junior staff.
Such a hollowing out of deep experience would hurt any organisation and the ABC has been no exception.
At a time when our society is becoming increasingly polarised, we need the ABC more than ever. We need an ABC for all Australians.
Chris Oliver-Taylor departs: more change to come?
Head of Content, Chris Oliver-Taylor, will leave the ABC on 28 February. We wait with bated breath to see what will happen next.
triple j's profound influence on Australia's music culture
It’s been an eventful month for the ABC’s triple j.
On January 19, it joined Double J to celebrate triple j's 50th anniversary with a special 12-hour rebroadcast of the first day of the station that started it all back in 1975 - 2JJ, Double Jay Rock.
Podcast of the month - Gardening Australia Junior
Everyone’s favourite gardening guru, Costa Georgiadis, hosts this series for kids and their families through the wonderous world of gardening.
It’s an absolute delight.
A lifeline in times of crisis
California's extreme wildfires are a stark reminder of the crucial role the ABC plays in keeping us safe. They’re a reminder of how lucky Australia is to have a public broadcaster dedicated to keeping communities safe in climate emergencies.
News from around the country
WA gears up for the state election on 8 March, Victoria elects a new president, SA continues its community outreach, and Vikki Uhlmann from ABC Friends Queensland visits ABC Studios across the Northern region.
New Shadow Communications Minister
Peter Dutton has announced that Melissa McIntosh will join the shadow cabinet as Shadow Minister for Communications following the promotion of David Coleman to the Shadow Foreign Affairs portfolio.
Thank you for all your support.
Warm regards,
Cassandra Parkinson
President
ABC Friends
P.S. If you can, please consider making a donation to support our campaign.
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