Last October the Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, indicated at the ABC Friends Victoria annual dinner that there would be a review of the sustainability and independence of ABC and SBS. Last week she launched the review at the ABC Friends NSW winter dinner, and it presents a golden opportunity to influence the long term future of the ABC.

The review will focus on mechanisms to safeguard the ABC against “funding cuts and political interference”.

The terms of reference can be accessed here

The deadline for submissions is 31 August. ABC Friends will make a submission, but everyone is encouraged to make their own submissions as well.

Included in the scope are Board appointments and funding certainty. Not included are the quantum, terms or models of funding, and the ABC Charter is not within the scope.

The deadline is tight, but the review could have a major impact on the current government’s policies on our national public broadcasters.