Monday, 18 March 2019

Australian Greens Digital RIghts spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has today announced the Australian Greens commitment to a 21st Century NBN, finished using best-choice technology, to ensure everyone has access to affordable, reliable and high quality internet services into the future.

Senator Steele-John said our internet was slower and less affordable than comparable countries, with Australia ranked 56th in the world for internet speed and 57th in world for affordability.

Ita Buttrose must be considered by the independent nomination panel before cabinet names the next ABC chair, the Greens say.

“If the Morrison Government wants to nominate Ms Buttrose, it must go through the proper channels,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“Five months have passed since the Government was caught in a web of political interference at the ABC. They still have not learned their lesson.

Today’s ACCC decision green-lighting the merger of Nine and Fairfax is another wake-up call to why we need strong, independent public broadcasters, the Greens say.

“Public interest journalism is a vital part of a functioning democracy. This merger of two major commercial players paints a sad picture of the media landscape in Australia,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The Greens will move for responsibility and funding to be restored to the ABC to share content with the Asia-Pacific region in the Senate next week.

“It is high time the Morrison Government gave the ABC back its job, sharing its world-class content and journalism in our region. Next week in the Senate, I will call on the Government to do so,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

 “The ABC is creating high-quality Australian drama and kids TV that audiences love. If that wasn’t enough, we know it is also our most trusted news source.

The Australian Greens have welcomed the Senate’s support in establishing an inquiry into the ABC, which will investigate recent instances of political interference and the undermining of the broadcaster’s independence.

“The political interference that has plagued the ABC will now be investigated with the aim to clear the cloud over our beloved public broadcaster’s future independence,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The cloud that hangs over the independence of the ABC has come no closer to being cleared following the release of the Government’s departmental review today.

“The Department report raises more question than answers about the issues plaguing the ABC. This review is a white-wash that attempts to save the Morrison Government from any scrutiny for the part it has played in the ABC’s leadership turmoil,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The Government’s ABC acting chair appointment is not going to give the broadcaster the fresh start it needs, the Greens say.

“The ABC Board needs a fresh start, not a game of musical chairs,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“The Minister has stacked the board with Government mates, undermined the ABC’s independence and this week’s turmoil is his failure.

The ABC needs a fresh start to move past this horror week for the board dogged by continued allegations of political interference, the Greens say.

“It’s not a matter of if, but when, chair Justin Milne vacates his position at the head of the ABC board. To give the ABC a fresh start and set it back on track, the next chair must be appointed with bipartisan support,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The Australian Greens are calling for an urgent senate hearing with the ABC board to investigate political interference with staffing and reporting at the broadcaster.

“The ABC must be free of political interference. Revelations that the ABC chair demanded a journalist be sacked to appease the Government must be investigated as a matter of urgency,” Greens communications spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.