The Abbott government is playing down claims it broke an election promise on ABC funding levels amid reports the broadcaster could be facing a second wave of cuts.
The national broadcaster's budget was cut by $43 million over the next four years in May's budget and News Corp is reporting an efficiency review has recommended cutting a further $40-$50 million.
That equates to a four per cent cut to the ABC's annual budget of $1.28 billion.
Liberal backbencher Andrew Laming said the cuts, announced in the budget, were "back of house".
"I think that what has happened after the election represents no cuts to the services provided by the ABC, so in that respect there are no cuts," Mr Laming told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
All government agencies had to do their bit to improve efficiency, he says.
Greens MP Adam Bandt is worried about the impact of budget cuts on the ABC's journalism.
"Not only will Tony Abbott lie his way to power but he'll take the axe to those who ... hold the government to account," he said.
