ABC delays five-year blueprint and job cuts to focus on staff and coronavirus news reporting

ABC boss says focus must be on giving viewers news on the crisis and on staff welfare.

ABC managing director David Anderson. Picture: AAP

The ABC has delayed the announcement of its five-year blueprint and job cuts, which was slated for the end of the month, as it focuses on its staff welfare and news reporting on the coronavirus pandemic.

Managing director David Anderson wrote to staff on Tuesday afternoon telling them of the decision, as the government introduced new measures to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and ordered that non-essential big group gatherings stop.

“As you are aware the leadership team and I had intended to announce the ABC’s new five-year plan by the end of this month, along with our response to the government’s indexation pause,” Mr Anderson said in the email to staff, which The Australian has seen.

“I think you will agree with me when I say that the current situation with COVID-19 means our focus must be on the welfare of all of you and our role as a public broadcaster in providing the community with timely and credible information in this challenging time for our country,” Mr Anderson said.

“For this reason, I’m sure you will understand my decision to postpone the announcement until we are through this period and we can return to normal levels of activity. Your patience and professionalism are, as always, greatly appreciated.

Mr Anderson said he will come back to staff with “more information on the five-year strategy announcement as soon as we have returned to normal levels of activity”.

The ABC’s decision to postpone the announcement comes two weeks after federal Communications Minister Paul Fletcher urged the public broadcaster to consider selling its offices in the nation’s capital cities, as part of its five-year strategic plan.

The ABC’s Sydney headquarters, located in Ultimo, is valued at around $330m. Its Melbourne operations are in Southbank.

The five-year plan was expected to include the loss of around 200 jobs following an extensive review of ABC’s television, radio and online operations, aimed at plugging an $84m budget hole. The ABC was planning to focus beyond the inner cities to suburban and rural communities, and improve its representation of multicultural Australia.

Community and Public Section Union ABC section secretary Sinddy Ealy welcomed the ABC’s decision during the global health crisis.

“This is a good decision for ABC staff who are doing their utmost best to keep ABC services up and running for the community during this difficult time and an important decision for the country,” she told The Australian.

“As increased fear and panic start to grip our communities during this health crisis, the majority of Australians are turning to the ABC for accurate information. They did this during the fires and they are doing it now with the coronavirus pandemic.”