
Issue No 80		01 December 2000

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News

Shier Under Fire … At Your ABC

By Dermot Browne

ABC staff have turned up the heat on their managing director Jonathan Shier over staff cuts, passing a motion of no confidence and putting strike action on the agenda.

Their motions said Shier had "demonstrated a manifest lack of commitment to the principles of independent public broadcasting", and "shown contempt for staff".

This situation has been further inflamed by announcements today that the science program "Quantum" has been axed, and that respected journalist Paul Barry has been sacked from "Media Watch".

Interestingly, the final episode of Media Watch this year featured a hard-hitting Barry interview where ABC chairman Donald McDonald was tackled over Shier's management style.

The ABC's viability has been threatened by almost 20 years of funding cuts. The most significant occurred in 1997 when the Howard Government reneged on its election commitments, slashing an additional $66 million from the budget.

These cuts led to a reduction in programming and the stripping of resources from a range of programs. Staffing levels were reduced by approximately 20%. Most of the cuts occurred within Radio and TV general programming.

Since 1997 the ABC has increasied the use of 'repeats', reduced the production of television programs and deferred capital and infrastructure expenditure.

Community and Public Sector Union spokesman, Graeme Thomson, said the appointment of Jonathan Shier as Managing Director had worsened an already difficult situation.

"Shier's structure is dysfunctional. Huge amounts of desperately needed funding have been squandered, firstly on redundancies, then on inflated salaries for a new, expanded executive team.

"The net result is a massive cutback in the budgets available for program makers which will inevitably lead to cutbacks in programs and service levels," said Thomson.

The fear is that Shier's plans for the ABC may be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

What you can do

CPSU activists and other ABC supporters are mobilising to

· defend the editorial integrity of the ABC

· oppose commercialisation

· secure better funding

If you would like to be involved in this campaign, contact your local CPSU office or e-mail [email protected]

Why not put your views on the ABC to your local MP

For more information visit

CPSU - http://www.cpsu.org/abc

Friends of the ABC - http://www.fabc.org.au/

View entire issue - print all of the articles!

Issue 80 contents

Interview: Chewing the Fat with Della
In a rare extended interview, NSW 's new industrial relations minister State John Della Bosca outlines his vision for the new workplace.

Unions: Organising - There Is No Choice
LHMU national secretary Jeff Lawrence responds to Brisbane Institutue director Peter Botsman's attack on organising.

Corporate: The Riddles of Democracy at Telstra
Shareholder activist Stephen Mayne explains how the big guys ran roughshod when he and trade union activists attempted to stand for the Telstra board.

Education: Training for Change
Labor Council's Michael Gadiel outlines a traiing agenda for the 21st century.

History: A Stack of Hypocrits
Ballot rigging, sanctioned by the courts, sponsored by the government were a Liberal Party and Bob Menzies speciality - and they introduced legislation to legalise it.

International: African Unions Go To War Against AIDS
The war on AIDS is now the number one priority of the ICFTU's African Regional Organization (AFRO), which has launched an ambitious five-year action plan in nine of the most severely afflicted African nations.

Satire: Teenage Hackers Behind Shock Cabinet Reshuffle
Seasoned front-benchers and political greenhorns alike were joined in stunned surprise today, as a sudden Cabinet reshuffle radically altered the shape of the Federal Government.

Review: Manufacturing Dissent
A new production explores Australian's approach to refugees and their experiences coming to a strange land.

» It's Official: Union Leaders More Trusted than Bosses!

» Reith Isolated on Workers Entitlements

» Light for Shafted Woodlawn Miners

» ATO Workers Stand Up to Bullying Bean-Counter

» Schweppes Lockout Bubbles Internationally

» Online Registration Takes Hold

» Bush Apprentices Face Breadline

» ALP Council Faces Workers' Wrath

» Local Action to Back Burma Sanctions

» WorkCover Needs First Aid Help

» Shier Under Fire … At Your ABC

» Social Charter Puts Heat on Howard

» Wattyl Make 'Em Fair Dinkum?

» International Union Aid Jobs on Offer