116/05
6 October 2005

Consultant to review ABC funding

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today announced that KPMG Australia will be engaged to undertake the ABC Funding Adequacy and Efficiency Review.

“The funding adequacy and efficiency review was an election commitment made by the Government following a request from the Board of the ABC,” Senator Coonan said.

“The review will assess how the ABC uses its funding and provide a sound basis for future consideration of the ABC’s funding needs.”

“As stated in the Australian Government’s broadcasting election policy, any additional resources identified as a result of this review will be available to the ABC to use towards meeting its Charter obligations,” Senator Coonan said.

In 2005–06 the ABC’s total Government funding will be $792.1 million. The ABC will receive nearly $2.3 billion in Government funding over the 2003–06 triennium.

The ABC’s current funding levels exceed those under the Labor Government prior to the 1996 election.

In 1995–96, the ABC received a total appropriation of $522.24 million. If this figure is indexed to today’s money it equates to $710.37 million. That is compared to the $792.1 million in Government funding the ABC will receive this financial year.

The Government’s funding of the ABC has been maintained in real terms since 1997.

The invitation to tender was advertised on 18 June 2005, and a number of submissions were received.

KPMG will work closely with the ABC, the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and the Department of Finance and Administration to complete the review. The results of the review will be taken into account during the Government’s consideration of the 2006–07 Budget.