Recriminations are flying thick and fast in the wake of Monday’s decision by ABC management to close the broadcaster’s Nowra office as part of its $250 million cost-cutting program.
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As news broke of the move, Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis quickly fired off an open letter to ABC managing director Mark Scott, describing the decision as “deplorable”.
“I think the decision to close the Nowra office of the ABC is appalling, as it seems that management has taken the easy way out, targeting rural and regional services, rather than truly examining the economies of the metropolitan service base and bureaucracy,” Mrs Sudmalis wrote (the full text of her letter appears on page 10).
“If the closure goes ahead, it will be almost geographically impossible for the ABC to cover, in person, local news events between Nowra and Moruya on the NSW South Coast.”
Mrs Sudmalis said she would seek an urgent meeting with Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull to discuss the decision.
She said she would not let the office close without a fight.
It is understood Nowra-based journalist Ainslie Druitt-Smith will keep her job but where she will be based is yet unknown.
The ABC leases its premises, near the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, which underwent a major upgrade and refit two years ago.
Mrs Sudmalis’s comments drew a swift rebuke from secretary of the South Coast Labour Council Arthur Rorris, who accused the federal government of lying on the eve of the last federal election over its intentions towards the ABC.
“Ann Sudmalis had the audacity to try and blame the ABC for making cuts to their services that her government has forced on them,” Mr Rorris said.
“Is Ann Sudmalis a member of this government or not?
“She will not be allowed to get away with this so easily.”
Mr Rorris said he would hold a public forum in Nowra about the federal governments cuts, not only to the ABC but other services.
“Perhaps as a member herself, Mrs Sudmalis might want to attend and explain to everybody why it is that she believes she has clean hands in this matter,” he said.
“It is just not good enough to play this childish game of quite literally shooting the messenger.”
Labor candidate for Kiama Glenn Kolomeitz, also rounded on the closure.
“ABC Nowra is a vital part of the community on the South Coast, including the electorate of Kiama,” he said.
“It’s important for local news and content, to support local community groups, and for local jobs that will now be lost. There is no other radio station which covers the entire length of the South Coast.
“Tony Abbott has broken an election promise that will mean our local community, and other parts of regional Australia, will suffer.
“I’m particularly concerned about the safety of our community. We are going into a long hot summer with heightened bushfire threat, and traditionally ABC Nowra has kept us informed about local threats floods and other adverse events. Who will do this now?”
Mr Kolomeitz echoed Mr Rorris’s comments about Mrs Sudmalis’s response to the closure.
“Ann Sudmalis supported cuts to the ABC, and knows she’s come out and said she’s against them. She can’t have it both ways. Mrs Sudmalis should have fought for ABC Nowra before the cuts, not after the horse has bolted.
“Ann Sudmalis must take responsibility for these cuts, instead of passing the buck. The closure of ABC Nowra is now part of Ms Sudmalis’ record, and she can’t run from it.”
