To: Chief of Staff

MEDIA RELEASE 7 July 2001

In a media release dated 20 June 2001 Senator Richard Alston challenged the Friends of the ABC to reject statements made by ALP front bencher, Mr Bob McMullan, which argued for a much more direct involvement of the Government in identifying areas of dedicated funding for the ABC.

National Spokesperson for Friends of the ABC, Mr Darce Cassidy said : "We are happy to respond to Senator Alston.. We confirm the accuracy of the report of Mr McMullan's statement published in the Friends of the ABC, ACT, newsletter. We are firmly opposed to tied funding for the ABC, or to any funding arrangement that would seek to direct the ABC's activities. "

"Mr McMullan's statements do not appear to be consistent with statements by the Labor Party's spokesman on Communications, Mr. Stephen Smith. In fairness to Mr McMullan, we note that in a personal explanation to the House of Representatives he claims to have been misrepresented on this issue."

"None the less we are concerned at the statements made by a senior member of the Labor Party. We have therefore written to the Leader of the Opposition, asking him to confirm our understanding, arising from discussions with Mr Smith, that an ALP government would not seek to introduce any form of tied funding for the ABC."

Mr. Cassidy has also written to Senator Alston, responding to his invitation to reject any proposals for tied funding for the ABC. A copy of the letter to Senator Alston is enclosed.

Further comment: Darce Cassidy, National Spokesperson 0412 685 178