Angry MP puts ABC ‘on notice’ after cuts to Cairns-based radio services

The Member for Barron River has criticised the ABC’s decision to cut Cairns-based programming ahead of disaster season.

Signage at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) offices at Ultimo in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

The former Emergency Services Minister has put the public broadcaster “on notice”, lambasting its decision to cut its Cairns-based on-air programming prior to the cyclone season.

But the ABC has hit back, claiming ratings have increased since switching to a networked program from Townsville in March.

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said a boost in Auntie’s listenership would be cold comfort to disaster-stricken remote communities this wet season.

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said locally produced radio was critical for remote communities during natural disasters. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“People rely on the ABC on those big days when we have fires, floods and cyclones,” Mr Crawford said.

“60 percent of the country’s natural disasters occur in Queensland every year. A good proportion of those happen in the north of the state.

“I’m concerned that this has been done by bean counters to save money.

“So I’m happy to put the ABC on notice.”

In a statement to the Cairns Post, the ABC confirmed that it had cut its Cairns-based Mornings show as part of changes to programming across the state.

But the broadcaster was still capable of effectively covering natural disasters in the Far North, the spokeswoman said.

“We have full capacity to move to rolling emergency coverage if necessary,” she said.

“We are well positioned in Cairns with two full-time locally-based presenters, two full-time locally based producers, another full-time content maker, a part-time producer/presenter and several reporting team members who can both present and produce.”

A leaked email this week revealed the ABC’s decision to “transition” away from radio, in favour of social media platforms like Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

But relying on digital services in remote communities across the Far North was a mistake, Mr Crawford said.

“In a disaster, one of the first things to go is the phone service,” he said.

“If you’re in a small town or community in the Cape or Gulf, sometimes there’s not enough phone service for you to even send a text or email.

“To think you can rely on the internet or social media is a dream. It doesn’t work in Cooktown. It doesn’t work in Wujal Wujal.

“The only reliable source is pushing in a signal that you can pick up on a five-dollar transistor.

“It’s basic but it works.”

The ABC said more news content was being created and audience figures in the Far North had improved.

“When the Cairns-based presenter left we utilised the existing networked Mornings program out of Townsville to cover all markets and used the vacant role in Cairns to create a local field reporter role,” she said.

“There was no reduction in headcount in the Cairns office, no loss of local-only programs and we are now doing more local news coverage from that bureau.

“The audience in Cairns for the Mornings program has increased since the change.”

Longtime broadcaster Phil Staley is the former ABC Far North Mornings presenter. Following his departure in March, he was replaced by Susan Graham-Ryan, who is based in Townsville.

Mr Crawford was the Fire and Emergency Services Minister between 2017-2020.

He is currently the Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Seniors and Disability Services.

Originally published as Angry MP puts ABC ‘on notice’ after cuts to Cairns-based radio services