The Morrison government has reversed a decision to freeze tens of millions of dollars in funding for the ABC ahead of the upcoming federal election.
The move overhauls a contentious decision to impose an indexation freeze on ABC’s annual funding in 2018 - believed to be worth $84 million - made by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.
It will now deliver the public broadcaster $3.3 billion in funding over the next three years.
Communications Minister Paul Fletcher has also announced SBS will receive $953.7 million over three years - including an additional $37.5 million - which will support "long-term sustainability".
“The ABC and SBS are essential components of Australia’s diverse media landscape,” Mr Fletcher said.
“This funding commitment is designed to provide certainty for both broadcasters and is being announced well in advance of the next funding period to assist the ABC and SBS to develop their forward plans.”
The ABC funding pledge will include $45.8 million through the Enhanced News Gathering (ENG) program, which the government says is aimed at strengthening public interest journalism in regional communities.
ABC managing director David Anderson welcomed the “funding certainty” delivered by the government’s announcement.
“As the ABC’s Managing Director, I have consistently made the case for the resumption of indexation on the ABC’s base funding and the continued support for ENG program,” he said in a statement.
“The triennial funding announcement is an important recognition that the ABC is needed now more than ever, and this funding is required so it can continue to fulfil its vital role in our democratic society.”
But the move has prompted accusations from Labor that the government is trying to shed the controversial policy ahead of the federal election to be held by the end of May.
The ABC has said the indexation decision amounted to a budget cut of about $84 million, forcing it to cut up to 250 jobs.
"Labor welcomes any improvement in ABC and SBS funding, even if it is just an announcement of 'situation normal',” Labor's communications spokesperson Michelle Rowland said.
"[But] confirmation of the ABC and SBS budgets going forward is little comfort for the 200 ABC staff who lost their jobs as a result of Scott Morrison’s cuts."
Mr Fletcher has denied the indexation amounted to a funding cut.
The government has also issued statements of expectations requiring the ABC and SBS to report annually on how much of their content across various categories is Australian, bringing them in line with commercial broadcasting requirements.
“[This will provide] a clear picture across the entire free to air television sector of Australian content,” Mr Fletcher said.
The ABC and SBS will also receive additional funding to support the continuation and expansion of audio description services to blind and vision-impaired Australians.
The funding commitment to SBS will see its funding increase from $314.9 million in the 2022-23 financial year, to $321 million in 2023-24 and $317.9 million in 2024-25.
In a statement, a spokesperson for SBS also welcomed the federal government’s funding commitment.
“It’s an outcome that recognises the value that SBS delivers to Australians, and follows additional funding that SBS has received in the past two budgets for the expansion of language services,” they said.
“We welcome the certainty it provides as we continue to deliver essential and evolving services to meet the needs of communities.”
