Zali Steggall & Allegra Spender
Weakening the ABC and SBS would harm Australians, as political parties stake out their positions on public broadcasting following One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson's vow to gut the institutions, federal MP Zali Steggall told AdNews.
Steggall, independent MP for Warringah in NSW, this week announced plans to launch the Community Strong Australia party with fellow independent Allegra Spender.
The party was created to target voters who feel politically unrepresented, built around sensible economic management, climate action, equality and integrity.
Steggall told AdNews Hanson’s One Nation proposals would do lasting damage.
"Strong public broadcasters are essential to a healthy democracy," she said.
"The ABC and SBS provide trusted news, emergency information and diverse Australian stories that millions rely on. Weakening these institutions would leave Australians far worse off."
The Greens and Labor have also pushed back against Hanson's position on the broadcasters.
The comments come after Hanson used her National Press Club address on June 17 to outline One Nation's position on the ABC and SBS, saying a One Nation government would place the ABC behind a subscription paywall outside regional, rural and remote areas and called for SBS to be cut entirely.
"From its chairman down, the ABC has proven itself to be completely in denial about its profoundly transparent political bias and the activists in its ranks," Hanson said.
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