ABC told to get over its ‘entitlement culture’ and accept Scott Morrison’s funding freeze

LIBERAL MPs have told the ABC to “get over its entitlement culture” and accept the freeze to its $3.16 billion in taxpayer funding outlined in the Budget.

THE ABC has been told to get over its “entitlement culture” and accept the freeze to its $3.16 billion in taxpayer funding outlined in the Budget.

ABC boss Michelle Guthrie yesterday vowed to fight the freeze presented by Treasurer Scott Morrison that will effectively cost the public broadcaster almost $84 million — less than 0.4 per cent of its taxpayer funding — over three years.

But Liberal Senator Eric Abetz said: “The ABC is highly privileged and its entitlement mentality is starting to wear thin.”

ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie has vowed to fight the three-year funding freeze. Picture: Lukas Coch

The Treasurer vowed to stop linking the ABC budget to indexation to ensure it continued to make back office cuts.

After hearing the news, Ms Guthrie told staff in an email: “Let me be frank with you: I am very disappointed and concerned that after the measures we have introduced in recent years to deliver better and more efficient services, the government has now seen fit to deliver what amounts to a further substantial budget cut.

“We will continue to oppose the decision and seek every opportunity to reverse the cuts in the coming months before they take effect,” she told staff.

Liberal Senator Eric Abetz has told the ABC to get over its “entitlement culture” and accept the freeze. Picture: Lukas Coch

Despite the freeze the ABC will still receive a massive $3.16 billion in taxpayer funding over the three years to 2022.

It will also remain exempt from the government-wide efficiency dividend which slashes budgets in anticipation of savings the department is expected to make.

Liberal MP Craig Kelly said it’s difficult to difficult to see what they are complaining about.

But in her most punchy comments since taking the top job two years ago, Ms Guthrie said: “This decision will make it very difficult for the ABC to meet its charter requirements and audience expectations.”

Senator Abetz said the ABC should wake up to the real world where media organisations are forced to operate with tighter budgets every day.

“More seriously the intemperate threats from the ABC highlights the partisan nature of the ABC and the attitude it will take to the budget and the next election which is hardly that of an independent taxpayer funded national broadcaster,” he said.

Liberal MP Craig Kelly added: “All media organisations have had to endure cuts so why should the ABC be immune? To have such a generous budget and the increases they have enjoyed over the last decade makes it very difficult to see what they are complaining about.”