Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison shoots down Liberal Party push to privatise the ABC

THE ABC will not be privatised, despite rank-and-file Liberal members at the National Conference calling on the Federal Government to sell off the national broadcaster.

• Party conference: Liberal MPs call for ABC to be privatised

THE ABC will not be privatised, despite rank-and-file Liberal members at the National Conference calling on the Federal Government to sell off the national broadcaster.

Meanwhile, a poll in the South Australian seat of Mayo shows residents want funding increased for “Aunty”.

The Liberal federal council passed a motion with a two-to-one majority calling on the Coalition to sell off the ABC, except for in regional areas.

But Communications Minister Mitch Fifield spoke against the motion and Treasurer Scott Morrison quickly ruled out a sale within hours.

Treasurer Scott Morrison quickly ruled out a sale within hours. AAP Image/Joel Carrett

“The Government has no plans to privatise the ABC,” he said.

“I know some out there might think the Labor Party already owns it, but certainly not the Government and it’s important that people understand that position.”

The Australia Institute commissioned ReachTEL to conduct a survey of more than 1000 residents in Mayo, which faces a by-election on July 28.

Key results show almost three-quarters of residents thought ABC funding should remain the same or be increased, with almost nine out of 10 who back sitting member Rebekha Sharkie holding that view.

Australia Institute executive director Ben Oquist said the Mayo result was in line with the rest of the country.

“Cutting funding to the ABC is unpopular enough, proposing to privatise the national broadcaster would be political poison,” he said.

“Our research has consistently shown the importance of, and support for, public broadcasting in Australia.”

Premier Steven Marshall addressing the 60th federal council of the Liberal Party in Sydney on Saturday. AAP Image/Joel Carrett

The survey revealed older voters were most likely to support increased funding for the ABC.

Young Liberal Mitchell Collier led the charge for selling the ABC, though he said his favourite ­programs as a child included the network’s popular Bananas in ­Pyjamas.

He suggested selling off the ABC to a media mogul or selling it to employees.

Senator Fifield said the Government was looking to require the ABC to specifically look after the needs of rural and regional Australia. But he voted against the motion and no one else spoke against it.

The Government froze some of the ABC’s funding in the May Budget, a move Labor has promised to reverse if it wins power.

Earlier in the day, former prime minister John Howard told the party faithful that Labor’s low primary vote proved voters didn’t want to replace the Turnbull Government at the next election.

“Although there may be irritation and disappointment with us, there is no enthusiasm for the replacement,” he said.

But with a total of five by-elections scheduled across the country for July 28, the Turnbull Government will face a series of electoral tests before the next federal poll.

Addressing Liberal Party supporters at Sydney’s Hilton, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urged supporters to use social media to counter Labor’s attacks.