Greens leader Christine Milne says it would be a very bad mistake if the federal government abandoned the ABC's Australia Network Asian broadcasting service.
Cabinet has reportedly discussed ending the broadcaster's contract to provide Australian news and entertainment to the region.
Senator Milne said the service does an outstanding job and was one of the ways Australia engaged with the region.
"It would be a very bad mistake if Tony Abbott was now to assault not only the ABC and bring in efficiency dividends for the government at the expense of the ABC, but also abandon that service," she told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday.
The network provides television services to the Asia-Pacific, but is also used as a vehicle for soft diplomacy.
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Senator Milne said it was not the role of the media to engage in propaganda for Australia.
"If the Abbott government is concerned that stories are negative about Australia in the Asian context, perhaps they ought to look at the policies they are promoting, in particular the policies that they engage in with regard to people seeking asylum in our country and human rights issues," she said.
Senator Milne said it was clear Prime Minister Tony Abbott had always had it in for the ABC, despite an election promise not to touch the broadcaster.
"It's pretty clear that Tony Abbott is now out after the ABC," she said.
On Wednesday Mr Abbott accused the ABC of acting against Australia's interests.
Senator Milne said the ABC must be allowed to "freely, fairly and fearlessly report the news".
