NSW: ABC should have reduced backroom staff first says Alston=2
Senator Alston also said the ABC could have looked at further reducing spending onadvertising, which has been slashed by $2.75 million, before axing programs.
"They have reduced for example some of its spending on advertising and self promotionbut that has doubled in the past four-and-a-half years," he said.
"In other words going up from four million in `99 to eight and-a-half million now,then there was obviously scope for taking it back (more)."
Senator Alston said the government had maintained the ABC's triennial funding in realterms in the next three financial years.
"The fact is that the ABC has known for many, many months it was going to be a verytough budget. I think even as far back as last year we were telling them it was unlikelythey would get an increase," he said.
"As it turned out we maintained funding in real terms for both the ABC and SBS.
"The ABC had to look within its means as regards what its priorities are.
"Now if you regard Behind The News as a very important program, then there's no reasonwith a budget of $760-odd million they can't maintain that program.
"We make a judgment out of what we can afford for the budget.
"It's always going to be tough. We had the drought we had Iraq and we just can't accommodatepeople's wish lists."
AAP lb/nf/cd/jlw
KEYWORD: ABC ALSTON 2 SYDNEY
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