SHARKIE 'DEFENDER' OF THE ABC
Local Candidate for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has become the first politician to receive a ‘Defenders Badge’ from the Friends of ABC National.
Sue Pinnock, Friends of the ABC (SA/NT) President and SA representative on the ABC Friends National Committee, recently presented the badge to Rebekha to recognise her support for Australia’s public broadcaster.
“Rebekha has been a long-time advocate for the ABC and the Friends wanted to acknowledge that support and Rebekha’s commitment to working towards restoring the $338 million in funding slashed from the ABC budget since 2014,” Sue said this week.
If elected, Rebekha will act immediately to lodge a motion in Federal Parliament calling on the Government to reverse the funding cuts it has imposed upon the ABC since 2014.
Rebekha has also launched a local petition to demonstrate the depth of community support for the ABC.
“The petition accompanying this motion will show the Government just how much Mayo loves our ABC and that our community will not tolerate Australia's national treasure being privatised by stealth,” Rebekha said.
“This $338 million in funding cuts includes $84 million of additional ‘savings’ announced in the 2018 Federal Budget and follows the loss of hundreds of jobs across the country.
“The savage cuts, when combined with recent calls for the full privatisation of the ABC from the Institute of Public Affairs and the Liberal Party Federal Council, are clear warning signs that the Government is paving the way for a sell-off despite the Communication Minister’s statement to the contrary.
“Australians who value the ABC are on notice that we must act and I know that I and my Centre Alliance colleagues will do all in our power to restore the ABC's funding to pre-2014 levels.”
To view or sign the petition click here.