Fears for jobs fires media, uni staff, police

Premier Lara Giddings takes the hard questions from ABC’s Leon Compton

Community and Public Sector Union

Media Statement 13 June 2012

ABC Managing Director Mark Scott in Hobart

On going concerns for the future of ABC production and sport in Tasmania

The union representing ABC staff, the Community and Public Sector Union, welcomes the visit of ABC Managing Director Mark Scott to the Hobart Studios this Thursday 14 June.

“Mr Scott has indicated he will talk to staff about the future of the ABC in Tasmania. Hopefully he can allay staff concerns that the only future for ABC TV in Tasmania is the screening of local news,” CPSU Tasmanian Regional Secretary, Paul Blake said.

“There have been concerns about the future of local TV production since the ‘resting’ of the Collectors program and since local sport hasn’t been screened this year,” he said. “While the commissioning of another series of Auction Room is welcome, it only assures TV production will continue in the short term.

“Despite repeated requests for information, and Mr Scott’s statements that the ABC is supportive of screening sport, we still have no answer on what sport will be filmed in Tasmania.

“We hope today’s visit will involve a meaningful exchange of views and that it maps out a positive future for ABC TV in Hobart,” Mr Blake said. “ABC is an integral part of the local production industry and the voice of Tasmania deserves to be heard as part of the national broadcaster.”

Loss of production and sports broadcasting capability in Tasmania would mean:

• Loss of ABC jobs in direction, editorial, camera, sound, archives and support functions- estimate of 25 permanent and 25 casual staff
• Loss of coverage of local sport
• Risk to coverage of events such as the ANZAC day parade, Q&A, live coverage of events
• Loss of a Tasmanian ‘flavour’ in programming
• Loss of career paths for people studying media at colleges and universities
• Outsourcing of production costing more than in-house production
• Tasmanian talent heading interstate because there aren’t enough local industry jobs.

The CPSU and Friends of the ABC are hoping to hand letters of support for ABC operations in Tasmania to Mr Scott, signed by some of the state’s most prominent members of the arts community including ex Gardening Australia presenter Peter Cundall, composer Peter Sculthorpe, independent film producer John Honey, chairman of Wide Angle Tasmania Graham Gates, MEAA secretary Mark Thomas; and dance choreographers Janet Vernon and Graeme Murphy.

“By the end of his visit, I’m sure Mr Scott will have no doubt about how important the ABC is to the Tasmanian arts community and Tasmanians in general,” Mr Blake said.

• ABC Radio is reporting deep disquiet at the Unviersity of Tasmania over reports that up to 30 jobs will be slashed in Arts following a review.

• Police threaten action over budget cuts

• NO GST CLAW-BACK ON HEALTH BAIL OUT PACKAGE COMMITMENT NEEDED

Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Health spokesperson
Thursday, 14 June 2012

The Tasmanian Greens today called for the Federal Government and Denison MHR Andrew Wilkie, to guarantee that any state health funding injection deal is exempt from the Commonwealth GST redistribution process.

Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said that there has been deafening silence in response to repeated calls for a public commitment that the costly mistakes of the Gillard-Wilkie RHH funding deal will not occur again.

“On behalf of the Tasmanian Greens I have written to Federal Minister Tanya Plibersek seeking an urgent and iron clad guarantee that should the rumours of a federal health funding injection eventuate, that any financial package is clearly exempt from a clawback under the GST redistribution process,” MR O’Halloran said.

“Last month the Premier confirmed that the $340 million Gillard-Wilkie RHH deal actually cost the state $88 million per annum over three years.”

“Tasmania cannot afford to receive money from one federal hand, only for it to be clawed back by another federal hand. This revolving door must be shut.”

“There is growing concern that despite this valid question being asked repeatedly, there still has not been a clear and unequivocal undertaking by either Ms Plibersek or Mr Wilkie, that it is written into any future health funding deal that it will not impact on the State’s GST revenue allocation.”

“The Tasmanian community deserves a commitment from both Minister Plibersek and Mr Wilkie, that mistakes of the expensive RHH funding deal have been learned, and will not be repeated. Any new health funding deal must be GST exempt.”

“The Greens welcome any assistance provided to Tasmanians seeking health services, and which will boost our hard working health sector, but it cannot be at any cost. Both Minister Plibersek and Mr Wilkie need to rule out signing up to any deal which will cost the State in GST revenue,” Mr O’Halloran said.

Download: Copy of Letter sent to Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek MHR by Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP, Thursday 14 June 2012 (2 pgs):
Jun14_E-Letter_P_OHalloran_to_Minister_Plibersek_14June2012_ATTACH.pdf