The Democrats believe the ABC and SBS must remain strong, free from government interference and fully funded so they can meet their Charters.

The global trend towards concentration of media ownership, particularly in Australia, makes the maintenance of the national broadcasters - which are free from government interference, and independent from commercial influences - even more important.

The ABC must be fully funded to maintain its overseas radio and television broadcasting services. Both must be commercial-free.

The Australian Democrats call on the leasee of the Cox Peninsula to provide access for Radio Australia services.

The Democrats strongly support:
· full funding, for national, state and local programming, especially for news and current affairs programs and other core Charter programming;
· full government funding for ABC's overseas broadcasting on Radio Australia and Australia Television;
· continued separation of the ABC and SBS;
· full funding for transmission of ABC and SBS services, and their extension in future years, especially for digital services.

Further, the Democrats support the independence of the ABC and SBS Boards. The Senate is currently inquiring into the Democrats private members bill relating to the ABC Board. The Bill establishes a Joint Parliamentary Committee to oversee ABC Board appointments - a model which has received public support at rallies across Australia.

The Democrats also advocates for the ABC and SBS to provide unrestricted multichannelling and datacasting digital television services.

The Democrats also note the government's failure to award the ABC and SBS additional funding for content generation in the last triennial funding submission process.

The Democrats have been strong advocates for public sector broadcasting for many years. Australian audiences are well served by our two national broadcasters - as distinct as they are in their programming and target audiences.

The ABC and SBS contribute significantly to our national identity, by informing, educating and entertaining across national audiences. Their mix of special programs and programs of broad appeal sits well with a healthy, democratic nation.

We believe the national broadcasters deserve greater support from the government and opposition.