FUNDING
Labor is committed to a better, stronger and independent ABC. Labor will increase ABC funding significantly so that the ABC can fulfil its charter obligations to inform, education and entertain all Australians. While we have yet to finalise our exact funding commitment to the ABC, Labor will significantly increase ABC funding.

Our funding package will increase the ABC's ability to broadcast at a variety of levels. Labor envisages that our funding increases will enable the ABC to expand its local and regional services.

ADVERTISING
Labor wholeheartedly opposes the notion of advertising on the ABC. We believe that the ABC's independence is integral to its function as our national broadcaster, and this independence should not be compromised by inappropriate commercial arrangements.

Labor supports the prohibition against advertising and sponsorship on the ABC. In Government, we will review the ABC's commercial activities to ensure that they are appropriate and in keeping with the spirit of the ABC Act.

BETTER ABC BOARD
Labor's Better ABC Board policy will ensure that all appointments to the ABC Board are above politics.

It will provide for an independent selection panel, which will undertake a proper shortlist selection process. This process would be transparent and independent of the Minister. The Selection Panel will consist of two Department of Communications public service heads, the Merit Protection Commissioner and an independent eminent person. All positions for the ABC Board will be widely advertised with clear merit based selection criteria.

Labor's new policy will allow for an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability in the ABC Board appointment process. It will end the appointment of political stooges to the ABC Board. This will end the current system whereby ABC Board Members are appointed by ministerial whim without any formal vetting and selection process.

The ABC deserves the best people for its board, not the best mates. Labor's Better ABC Board system will end the process of political appointments and restore the public's confidence in the independence of our national
broadcaster.

Once in Government, Labor will consider appropriate mechanisms to ensure that the operations of the ABC Board are transparent and accountable.

Once in Government, Labor will ensure that all ABC public broadcast and internet services remain free of charge where appropriate. The ABC does derive significant revenue from licensing its intellectual property to commercial operations. Labor will not intervene in these arrangements.

Our ABC policies and funding increase will enable the ABC to explore the full potential of the digital and online medium.

RADIO AUSTRALIA
Labor will review the ABC's transmission arrangements in Government, and act to restore Radio Australia's effective reach in our region.

REGIONAL AUSTRALIA
Labor's significant funding boost will allow the ABC to extend its services throughout regional Australia. Labor would encourage the ABC to do this as a matter of priority.

COMPLAINTS POLICY
Once in Government, the Labor party will ensure the ABC has an independent and comprehensive complaints policy for the ABC.

ABC'S CHARTER OF INDEPENDENCE
The Labor Party supports fully the ABC's Charter of Independence, and will honour that charter once in Government.

Thanks again for your queries. Labor supports an independent and adequately funded ABC. We will shortly be announcing the full details of our ABC policy. Labor looks forward to working with the Friends of the ABC to strengthen out national broadcaster and ensure its crucial role in our society continues.

Yours sincerely
Lindsay Tanner, MP
Shadow Minister for Communications

We welcome Lindsay Tanner's response on behalf of the Labor Party and look forward to seeing the formal policy and learning the precise level of funding promised.

EXCISIONS
A
While Labor will suggest our preferred initiatives, the specifics of how funding will be spent is an internal matter for the ABC. The ABC has a Charter of Independence, and it is inappropriate for a politician to dictate exactly how the ABC manages its expenditure provided that spending meets the ABC's charter obligations.

B
The Howard Government's policy of stacking the ABC Board with conservative
appointments and political stooges has seen the emergence of a clear
conservative bias amongst the current board. This bias has undermined the
confidence of many Australians in the independence of the ABC.