Fifth in a series of interviews with ABC Friends members about their views on the past, present and future of the ABC and ABC Friends.

Chris Maxwell has had a very distinguished career in the law, including as President of Liberty Victoria, a Commissioner for Victoria Legal Aid, and as President of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Victoria. He is a long standing supporter of the ABC and part of an ongoing Household Membership of ABC Friends. 

In the beginning …

When I was 10 years old my family listened to 3AR and 3LO all the time, and enjoyed the news on Channel 2 together. The ABC was a fixed reference point in our lives. Later my own family continued the connection, including Playschool as essential viewing for our children. And as a political adviser (to the Attorney General) I was dependent on ABC Radio, particularly AM and PM, and ABC current affairs coverage. The ABC has been embedded in my eco-system all my life. It is a foundation stone of my daily life.

I’m hooked on…

On radio I find Classic FM really satisfying listening, particularly programs like Unwind and 50 Classical Icons. I am a fan of Late Night Live and Business Daily, particularly Alan Kohler’s interviews. And I really enjoyed the Diagnosing Murder podcast with Michael Bachelard, which matched my interest in the use of forensic evidence in court. On TV we always catch the 7pm News and 7.30, the cornerstones of our evening, and I love Monday evenings, with Australian Story, 4 Corners and Media Watch. The ABC’s investigative reporting is first class, and their documentaries (e.g. on Tampa) are balanced and engaging.

The ABC is really good for…

Authoritative and thorough documentaries and Australian stories – evidence-based, informative and trustworthy, and very satisfying. Good ABC TV makes you feel good about Australia. 

I’d like to see more…

High quality serious programs. Documentaries, current affairs, historical analyses, positive stories about people and places and events. Much more special investigative reporting. More celebration of multiculturalism and much more science reporting, particularly on climate change.

I’d like to see less of …

Hard Quiz and other trivial entertainment. In the news there is too much prominence given to crime and disaster – too similar to the tabloids – and it gives an unnecessarily negative view of the world. Less on youth crime and more on celebrating youth in the community. More on world affairs.

I joined ABC Friends because …

It is the logical thing to do if you support the ABC.

ABC Friends is good for…

Engagement with supporters of the ABC – the local groups are active agents of awareness- raising and lobbying, and they run good election campaigns. 

I’d like to see more of …

ABC Friends as an active participant in the public debate on media issues, with media releases and quotes from spokespeople about the value of the ABC. Making more noise and going beyond preaching to the converted. Attacks on the ABC need responses and ABC Friends needs to get a bigger dividend and more public impact from all its input. I would also like to see more political advocacy, with visits to Ministers, advisers and Department heads to elicit their support for the ABC. 

Final advice

Use the resources at hand to build a media profile and influence opinions in favour of the ABC.

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