ABC won’t be sold despite Liberal council vote

Senior Libs come to defence of national broadcaster as rank-and-file Liberal members call on government to sell off city operations.

The ABC will not be privatised despite rank-and-file Liberal members calling on the government to sell off the national broadcaster’s city operations.

The Liberal federal council meeting in Sydney today 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 ruled out a sale.

“The government has no plans to privatise the ABC,” Mr Morrison told reporters.

“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.”

Young Liberal Mitchell Collier led the charge for selling the ABC, although he said his favourite programs as a child included “Bananas in Pyjamas” on the network.

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

Speaking to Sky News this morning, Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg labelled the ABC an “iconic national institution” as he slapped down the vote to privatise the public broadcaster.

Mr Frydenberg acknowledged the party’s membership was frustrated with the coverage of the ABC, but argued that did not mean it should be sold off.

“The ABC is an iconic national institution, it provides valuable serves to our regions and to our cities, it is not going to be sold and it can never be sold,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“Of course everyone has some frustrations from time to time with the coverage on the ABC and it is important to vent those frustrations and make them known but it is in the public’s hands for a good reason.

“The parliamentary party decides the policy of the government and the government’s policy is not to sell the ABC.”

After the federal council also voted in favour of moving Australia’s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Mr Frydenberg said he expected more countries to follow Donald Trump’s lead on the issue.

But he said he support the government’s policy to keep the embassy in Tel Aviv.

“Jerusalem has been the home of Israel since Jesus was a boy and before and it will continue to be so and I’m sure over time more countries will move their embassies to Jerusalem just like the United States has,” he said.

Hey @TurnbullMalcolm hands off, our public broadcaster is NOT for sale!! pic.twitter.com/ild8Zx47by

— Sarah Hanson-Young💚 (@sarahinthesen8) June 16, 2018

Greg Brown, AAP