Labor ‘snubs’ western Sydney in SBS backdown, says Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun
A western Sydney mayor has excoriated the Albanese government over its decision to scrap a proposal to shift the headquarters of SBS away from the city’s exclusive north shore.
A western Sydney mayor has excoriated the Albanese government over its decision to scrap a proposal to shift the headquarters of SBS away from the city’s exclusive north shore.
A feasibility study – commissioned by federal Labor – into the possible relocation of the multicultural broadcaster from Artarmon to western Sydney has found such a move would be too costly.
Instead, the government will fund a new SBS production hub – with an initial investment of $5.9m – in a yet-to-be-determined location in western Sydney, where most of the broadcaster’s audience live.
But the SBS headquarters will remain in its current location in Artarmon, on Sydney’s wealthy north shore, where it has been based for more than three decades.
“Establishing an SBS production presence in western Sydney delivers on the government’s commitment to boost the region’s arts and culture infrastructure, to improve equity of access to and participation in the arts, and brings to life the SBS vision for expanding its studios to western Sydney,” a government press release, issued on Sunday, said.
“Western Sydney is a diverse and dynamic region, comprising more than 40 per cent of residents born overseas, as well as one of the largest populations of First Nations peoples in Australia.
“It is a launching ground for media practitioners telling stories on SBS which would otherwise be unheard, and that resonate with diverse audiences.”
But Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun accused Labor of abandoning western Sydney.
“This is another example of the Albanese government not being able to make a decision. All this does is make Werriwa (in southwest Sydney) and other western Sydney seats harder for him to hold,” Mr Mannoun said.
“The economics work and moving SBS is a cost saver for the government, based on the reports that we have done.
“They think we are stupid out here and think they can break their promises to us. This will hurt them on election day.
“The ball is now in Peter Dutton’s court. If he wants to win Werriwa and other western Sydney seats, this is an easy win but also shows his leadership and that he has a vision for our area – which Labor clearly don’t.”
It’s understood that at least four western Sydney councils put forward proposals to house a new SBS headquarters in their local area if the proposal to relocate the multicultural broadcaster had been given the green light.
The decision to scrap the proposal to move SBS from Sydney’s exclusive north shore to the city’s west follows the trouble-plagued shift by the ABC from its inner-Sydney base in Ultimo to Parramatta, in the western suburbs.
By early next year, 75 per cent of the ABC’s “content creators” will be based in Parramatta, in a move that was the brainchild of outgoing managing director David Anderson and former ABC chair Ita Buttrose. As previously reported by The Australian, the shift from Ultimo to Parramatta has not been well received by the ABC’s Sydney-based staff, the majority of whom do not live in the city’s western suburbs.
In an email to staff on Sunday, SBS managing director James Taylor said the government’s decision to invest in a production hub was “a great outcome for both SBS and western Sydney communities”.
“The first step is to complete the work required to identify the full costs involved for establishing the production hub and the additional content,” Mr Taylor said.
“We expect to kick off the project early in the new year and be out in market looking for a site in the first half of 2025.
“I anticipate that we will be in a position to present a completed business case to government in late 2025 and, following approval of the business case, construction of the facility would be ready to commence.”
The federal government claims the production hub in western Sydney will create job opportunities for “highly skilled, qualified and culturally diverse workers” from the area.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said: “As Australia’s dedicated multicultural and First Nations broadcaster, and one of our most trusted news brands, SBS plays a vital role in promoting social cohesion.
“The Albanese government is committed to growing and supporting SBS, and to ensuring its unique value benefits all Australians.”
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