The Morrison Government’s $10million for Fox Sports to broadcast women’s and niche sports is part of its Covid Response Package, yet no extra funding has been given to the ABC or SBS during the pandemic, the Senate’s Covid Select Committee has heard today.
Under questioning from Greens Spokesperson for Media and Communications, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, the Department of Communications told the Committee the program which has already seen $30m given to Murdoch, was extended to help get women’s and niche sports broadcast once they’re back up and running.
“It’s extraordinary the government has tried to justify this corporate welfare by calling it a Covid response measure,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“This is just another example of the Morrison Government using the pandemic to justify giving public money and free passes to their corporate donor mates.
“The public broadcasters should’ve been given this money so that taxpayers who can barely afford to eat and pay rent let alone subscribe to Fox Sports, could watch women’s and niche sports for free.
“The Department officials confirmed to me despite the enormous increase in traffic to the public broadcasters, no additional funding has been given to the ABC or SBS during Covid19.
“Giving $40m to Murdoch when the ABC is laying off staff and small and regional publishers across the country are closing up is a kick in the guts. The ABC, SBS and small and regional publishers have played a vital role in getting life-saving information into our communities during this pandemic.
“This program makes a mockery of the Morrison Government’s Covid response measures and should be cancelled or redirected to ABC and SBS.”
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