Study to examine ABC and SBS costs

The federal government has sought a review into the efficiency of both the ABC and SBS.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) logo

The federal government has sought a review into the efficiency of both the ABC and SBS. (AAP)

The Abbott government has announced a review into the efficiency of Australia's two national broadcasters.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has recruited Peter Lewis, a former chief financial officer at Seven West Media, to conduct a study into the ABC and SBS.

"It is a routine responsibility of the minister to ensure that the ABC and SBS use public resources as efficiently as possible," he said in a statement on Thursday.

The decision follows Prime Minister Tony Abbott's earlier criticism of the ABC in which he accused it of acting against the national interest and lacking "basic affection for the home team".

The study will examine costs for the day-to-day operations of programs, products and services and find savings.

The editorial and programming decisions of the broadcasters will be safeguarded from the study which is being undertaken with their full cooperation.

Mr Lewis will report back to the minister in April.


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world