The Editor
The Age
18 July 2001

Jonathan Shier has acted to overrule the ABC Legal Department and pull a Four Corners story with potential to embarrass the Liberal Party.

Another member of the ABC Board, Donald McDonald, in a speech to CEDA on July 11, has attacked Labor's funding of the ALP while at the same time echoing Senator Alston's claim that ABC funding has been restored to 1995-96 levels.

While we heartily agree with his statement that ABC funding was reduced substantially when Labor was in government, we strongly disagree with his apparent support for Senator Alston's claim. Both major parties have made big reductions in the ABC's budget. Senator Alston's claim is highly contentious, and in our view misleading. Mr McDonald is unwise to support it publicly.

Actions by Mr Shier and Mr McDonald over the last two weeks are likely to strengthen a growing public perception that the ABC Board has become politicised.

Now, more than ever, it is vital that a better method be found for making appointments to the ABC Board.

Darce Cassidy
National Spokesperson
Friends of the ABC