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Anne Patterson
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The charter if changed must ensure the total independence of the ABC including independence from commercial influence. The charter should not allow the ABC to be diminished in any way. Rather the ABC should be enhanced. This enhancement requires ample funding. This funding should be set and not at the whim of the current government that happens to be in power. Thus the ABC will be able to continue to be accessibile to all Australians, produce programs of cultural and intellectual integrity, continue as an educator, have a strong international presence and provide national and local services (especially for rural and remote areas). This role requires the ABC to be at the forefront of technological change so that quality content on all delivery platforms occurs. Finally Radio Australia must be rebulilt
The ABC and SBS should remain as separate and distinct broadcasters. SBS should continue to focus on multicultalism whilst the ABC should continue to be the comprehensive broadcaster as noted previously