Quote:

ABC shows spending can grow like Topsy THERE is a young slave called Topsy in the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin. She has no mother or father. When she is asked “who made you?”, she replies: “I ’spect I grow’d. Don’t think nobody never made me.” That is how the expression “to grow like Topsy” entered the English language. I was reminded of that when Treasurer Scott Morrison handed down the midyear economic and fiscal outlook last week. The Budget is in deep deficit. Spending as a proportion of the economy is 25.9 per cent, the level Kevin Rudd said we needed as an “emergency” response to the financial crisis of 2008. If spending returned to the level it was before that, the Budget would now be in surplus. But it hasn’t. Spending has grown like Topsy. There was no plan to it. There was no design in it. It just grow’d. Now that spending has grow’d, some people say we should put up taxes. That would create room for spending to grow some more. Government spending has a momentum all its own. You have to cut and prune just to keep it where it is. Let me illustrate Topsy’s principle by reference to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The ABC has gone through a great deal of reorganisation but its origins lie in a private company, the Australian Broadcasting Company, which was nationalised in 1932 to set up a government-owned radio network to be funded by listeners who paid licence fees. There were many private radio stations that preceded it and continued to compete with it afterwards. When television came to Australia in 1956 for the Melbourne Olympics, various radio and newspaper interests were given TV licences. The ABC was authorised to set up a national TV network as well. The advent of digitisation in the early 2000s meant that television stations could introduce multichannels. That came across my desk as federal treasurer when the ABC wanted new money to “digitise” and set up new TV channels such as ABC2, ABC3, ABC News 24 and so on. Some feared that by spreading content across multiple channels, the standard would fall. But government has a way of growing and various communications ministers thought that since commercial networks were multiplying their channels, the ABC should be allowed to multiply too. The various private print and television interests were also trying to launch businesses in the digital or internet sphere so the ABC management said that meant the ABC should get into that too. From a nationalised radio broadcaster in 1932, the ABC is now a multichannel FM and AM radio network, a multichannel television network and an internet company. Listeners no longer fund it. Taxpayers fund it with well over $1 billion each year. The new managing director of the ABC, Michelle Guthrie, who was previously with Google, is expected to push it further into the digital space. But along the way no one stopped to ask the question: Why does the ABC need to be across all this different media? Why does the taxpayer need to fund a competitor in an internet space that is crowded with private operators? Now, critics may say I write for this newspaper and I am a director of a television network, both of which compete with the ABC in the internet space. It is true they compete but they don’t get taxpayers’ money to do it. They have customers and shareholders who put up their own money to pay for it. There are so many things that taxpayers are asked to pay for. How high, as a priority, is digital communication and entertainment? In my long experience as treasurer, I never saw a proposal for new spending that didn’t look brilliant when it was proposed. Few worked out the way they were promised. A fortnight ago ABC TV programmed a whole week for voyeurs on its ABC 2 channel. There was a program called Australians on Porn and a BBC documentary, Twilight of the Porn Stars. There was  Websex: what’s the harm? There was a three-part, three-night series, Strippers, filmed in various Scottish lap-dancing clubs. To show a bit of cultural diversity, there was an Australian who showed what it was like to work in an Australian brothel and a program on A very British brothel. Nor is the ABC sexist because there was another program called Male Hookers Uncovered and one on transgender called Ladyboys. Friends of the ABC will tell you that its role is to broadcast programs that the commercial networks won’t. In this case that was probably true. A commercial network would not be game to run programming like that every night for a whole week. But let me ask whether Australia would be the poorer if taxpayers’ money was not used to put this stuff to air? There may be a great audience for it but couldn’t they look up the internet? It is full of this stuff. The big difference is the user might then pay for it rather than the taxpayer. Now if you suggest to a friend of the ABC that you can ever cut costs or in any way limit the growth of the organisation, you will get a howl of protest. They will tell you that if you cut funding to the ABC, the next thing you know Hitler or some other dictator will come to power in Australia. That’s another reason things grow like Topsy. Government spending creates a clientele that benefits and grows with it so there will always be a group ready to defend it, especially if it comes out of other people’s taxes.

the ABC is a taxpayer moneypit out of control like the Australian budget

it needs to be knocked on the head to put it out of its misery

Definitely very little of value to me on ABC TV nowadays. Wouldn't have said that 15-20 years ago.

Even Radio National is slowly shedding good programs.

Your ABC?
Where?

I seem to remember the same attack on the ABC when the Libs were getting savaged for their incompetence under Tony dumb dumb , awww what's wrong righties , can't handle the hard questions  :'( :'( :'( :'(

Suggest you RWNJ's listen to Bolt, Hadley and Jonesie and leave the sane people to listen to our very popular with the community ABC!

Peter Costello....

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/abc-shows-spending-can-grow-like-topsy/news-story/84de6e4461fa7b08b5c9a820025bb3dd

::) ::) ::)

philperth2010 wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 8:10am:

Peter Costello.... http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/abc-shows-spending-can-grow-like-topsy/news-story/84de6e4461fa7b08b5c9a820025bb3dd ::) ::) ::)

Paywall.... duzzen madda....

You want quality shows independently produced by and for the ABC, yet the Guv doesn't expect to pay for them.......

So..... how much subsidy does the Guv give to the 'independent' private producers of TV shows?  Let's take a look.....

http://www.crikey.com.au/2014/02/12/television-the-land-where-the-age-of-entitlement-never-ends/?wpmp_switcher=mobile

http://www.buseco.monash.edu.au/assets/documents/reforming-freetoair-broadcasting.pdf

Let's try some hard work for a change instead of piling rhetoric on rhetoric...... be a change for some here....

macman wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 7:47am:

Suggest you RWNJ's listen to Bolt, Hadley and Jonesie and leave the sane people to listen to our very popular with the community ABC!

Oh, so it isn't OUR ABC?
Thought so, it belongs to the LWNJs.

philperth2010 wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 8:10am:

Peter Costello.... http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/abc-shows-spending-can-grow-like-topsy/news-story/84de6e4461fa7b08b5c9a820025bb3dd ::) ::) ::)

if you've got nothing to say on the article then just bugger off

If spending growth is our big worry then it would make sense to get rid of State Level government - a very big tax payer expense for less return than even the ABC...

bogarde73 wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 6:46am:

Definitely very little of value to me on ABC TV nowadays. Wouldn't have said that 15-20 years ago. Even Radio National is slowly shedding good programs. Your ABC? Where?

the ABC is the biggest media outlet in Australia - WHY???

why are we pissing away over a billion dollars a year of tax payers money on a 90% useless Media company which no one wants except dud journalists and far left hippy dope smoking halfwits>??

Phemanderac wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 11:35am:

If spending growth is our big worry then it would make sense to get rid of State Level government - a very big tax payer expense for less return than even the ABC...

at least State governments are half useful..

but they need to be made smaller getting rid of all the spin doctors and other useless public servants

along with amalgamating local councils

BlueBeard wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 11:32am:

philperth2010 wrote on Dec 22nd, 2015 at 8:10am: Peter Costello.... http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/abc-shows-spending-can-grow-like-topsy/news-story/84de6e4461fa7b08b5c9a820025bb3dd ::) ::) ::) if you've got nothing to say on the article then just bugger off

I thought he said all that needed to be said.

I see all the usual brain dead anti ABC mob are at it again  :D :D

BlueBeard wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 11:37am:

Phemanderac wrote on Dec 22nd, 2015 at 11:35am: If spending growth is our big worry then it would make sense to get rid of State Level government - a very big tax payer expense for less return than even the ABC... at least State governments are half useful.. but they need to be made smaller getting rid of all the spin doctors and other useless public servants along with amalgamating local councils

I think that's where you and I need to agree to disagree respectfully...

I do not see State Level government as useful at all. The local and national budgets would be millions (if not billions) better off straight up if State Government was abolished as the useless, corrupt, inefficient blight on tax payer expenditure that it is.

Make the ABC look like a well thought out and excellent investment at the end of the day.

BlueBeard wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 6:26am:

the ABC is a taxpayer moneypit out of control like the Australian budget it needs to be knocked on the head to put it out of its misery

So we can rely on the "quality" commercial channels, no thanks.

Yeah - commercial TV is so spellbinding that I spend most of my time here online or reading or at the club....

Can't wait for the next season of MKR or Masterchef or Survivor or TBL or any other 'reality' show.... or A Current Affair (just WHO IS responsible for this neighbourhood dispute?)..... slight interest there but always keep in mind their extravagance with the truth.... could always be rapt in watching the 89th repeat of Harry Potter......

Come the revolution there'll be a special firing squad for TV program organisers... and for designers of speed humps and car parks....

Sir Grappler Truth Teller OAM wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 11:55am:

Can't wait for the next season of MKR or Masterchef or Survivor or TBL or any other 'reality' show.... or A Current Affair....

It always amazes me that there are so many people out there who make a conscious decision to sit down and watch those programs.

greggerypeccary wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 11:58am:

Sir Grappler Truth Teller OAM wrote on Dec 22nd, 2015 at 11:55am: Can't wait for the next season of MKR or Masterchef or Survivor or TBL or any other 'reality' show.... or A Current Affair.... It always amazes me that there are so many people out there who make a conscious decision to sit down and watch those programs.

It literally - to me - gives me a face ache.. like grinding teeth ... it is the purest agony to watch.... and I nearly epilept when FINALLY a cooking show ends..... and they advertise another one to start next week instead...... makes The Gap or fighting IS look attractive..... but it certainly raises the stocks for the beer companies since I spend more time at the club...

Got one lady on the bus who MUST get out of the club and home BEFORE MKR starts.... her husband and I exchange knowing looks.... he takes his time getting home....

greggerypeccary wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 11:58am:

It always amazes me that there are so many people out there who make a conscious decision to sit down and watch those programs.

SBS now has a 24 hr cooking channel with 24 hrs of non stop MKR and mastercrap type shows .....  ::) ::)

John Smith wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 12:08pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Dec 22nd, 2015 at 11:58am: It always amazes me that there are so many people out there who make a conscious decision to sit down and watch those programs. SBS now has a 24 hr cooking channel with 24 hrs of non stop MKR and mastercrap type shows .....  ::) ::)

http://www.technologytell.com/gadgets/files/2014/06/tumblr_m43g6aCcsA1qedmglo1_500.gif

Great argument for getting rid of SBS..... more money for the ABC....  :-?

24 hour channel of japanese iron chef could be rad.

Sir Grappler Truth Teller OAM wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 12:05pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Dec 22nd, 2015 at 11:58am: Sir Grappler Truth Teller OAM wrote on Dec 22nd, 2015 at 11:55am: Can't wait for the next season of MKR or Masterchef or Survivor or TBL or any other 'reality' show.... or A Current Affair.... It always amazes me that there are so many people out there who make a conscious decision to sit down and watch those programs. It literally - to me - gives me a face ache.. like grinding teeth ... it is the purest agony to watch.... ....

I hear ya!

The only thing worse than MKR, Masterchef, and ACA is The Living Room.

I'm not a violent person, however, I want to punch every single one of those presenters in the face.


http://kidszipsheets.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/The-Living-Room-Cast.jpg

Especially that Amanda    >:(

I like the ABC -

that & SBS are the only 2 channels worth watching -

the others are garbage -  full of adverts & poor journalism.

Australian media really punches below its weight especially our terribad private media sector. Basically anything worth anything in australian media is done by screen Australia and the ABC/SBS.

Private media moguls should start try producing decent shows instead of crying about the abc or digital outlets

When the useless Liberal pillow munchers start whinging about the ABC I always wonder what they are trying to distract attention from ?

What is it really about ?

Bobby. wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 1:39pm:

I like the ABC - that & SBS are the only 2 channels worth watching - the others are garbage -  full of adverts & poor journalism.

"poor"?

I wouldn't even call it journalism.

John Smith wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 12:08pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Dec 22nd, 2015 at 11:58am: It always amazes me that there are so many people out there who make a conscious decision to sit down and watch those programs. SBS now has a 24 hr cooking channel with 24 hrs of non stop MKR and mastercrap type shows .....  ::) ::)

Same bucket of money

All they need is 1 ABC. 1SBS. 1 Aboriginal.  And 1 each on radio

Surely this article can no be serious? Why should ABC in 2015 have online services, is he F**king out of his mind?

Also yes, ABC would be poorer if it had less documentaries and other unique content ABC 2 is actually one of my favourite channels because it airs a lot of niche stuff that I would have no idea about if it wasn't on the ABC and no I don't watch it online because I don't even know it exists. Watching ABC the other day I saw an artist who's work I thought was amazing so now I follow him, how would I have known of him if it wasn't for that show?

And commercial television barely even runs original programming anymore, no one should use Australian commercial television as a standard for anything because it's awful and often steals its best shows from SBS.

I would argue ABC News 24 is a waste of time (along with any 24 hour news channel), but ABC 2 provides unique programming aimed often at a young adult audience, ABC 3 is the only channel on TV that does childrens television anymore. 7, 9 and 10 have all dumped childrens programming.

You should try watching ABC instead of neighbours and TT , you might be pleasently suprised blueballs .

greggerypeccary wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 2:09pm:

Bobby. wrote on Dec 22nd, 2015 at 1:39pm: I like the ABC - that & SBS are the only 2 channels worth watching - the others are garbage -  full of adverts & poor journalism. "poor"? I wouldn't even call it journalism.

Dear Greggy,

For once - you have a point - it's infotainment  &

it's dumbed down for teenagers & those who have no education.

I actually think the Government should be funding Screen Australia and the ABC/SBS more.

Australia has one of the most diverse and best quality music cultures in the world, Australian artists dominate music scenes around the globe, most of those Australian artists got their big break on Triple J and Unearthed.

Remember when the ABC and other channels actually produced original television? Many Australian actors have gone on to star in big US shows and produce US shows, the kid in Wayne Manifesto writes that Modern Family, other actors went onto hollywood, HBO etc.

I honestly believe if they tightened the rules on "Australian programming" (no longer include reality TV, crappy morning/panel shows and News) and provided more funding for Australian productions, Australia could actually dominate with original productions on a global level like we do with music.

Too bad the Australian film and television industry has been left to rot and die in an onslaught of reality TV and American sitcoms.

BlueBeard wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2015 at 2:20pm:

John Smith wrote on Dec 22nd, 2015 at 12:08pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Dec 22nd, 2015 at 11:58am: It always amazes me that there are so many people out there who make a conscious decision to sit down and watch those programs. SBS now has a 24 hr cooking channel with 24 hrs of non stop MKR and mastercrap type shows .....  ::) ::) Same bucket of money All they need is 1 ABC. 1SBS. 1 Aboriginal.  And 1 each on radio

why bonnngs?

By the Way

I think most of you have MISSED the POINT

forget about the ABC or a minute

we have a spending problem

not an income problem

this is what Costello is trying to get through to you numbskulls..

there is no reason on earth that we should be putting up the GST to 15% when 10% is enough..

we just need to "budget"

duh!!  ::)

why should the Tax Payer be paying for someone elses "child" care .. for instance..

for Forks Sakes.. wake up people !!  :D

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on Dec 24^th, 2015 at 4:55pm:

By the Way I think most of you have MISSED the POINT forget about the ABC or a minute we have a spending problem not an income problem this is what Costello is trying to get through to you numbskulls.. there is no reason on earth that we should be putting up the GST to 15% when 10% is enough.. we just need to "budget" duh!!  ::) why should the Tax Payer be paying for someone elses "child" care .. for instance.. for Forks Sakes.. wake up people !!  :D

Exackery!  YTS should we be paying for someone else's sweet ride... now extend your reasoning to politicians and so forth... and to all the other freeloaders in this society.....

I always knew the old Grunts would get it right some time... welcome aboard, Trooper.

The luvvies know that in this media age the ABC is redundant. What the luvvies want is to force feed Australia's  Marxist propaganda.  Oh yeah, and at the tax payers' expense.

the good ole boys wrote on Dec 25^th, 2015 at 9:03am:

The luvvies know that in this media age the ABC is redundant. What the luvvies want is to force feed Australia's  Marxist propaganda.  Oh yeah, and at the tax payers' expense.

One of these days you'll post something relevant and accurate.

Today is not that day.

Rather than troll and antagonise, put forward an argument. 'Get up' and 'Occupy' are socialist organisations that are self funding.  Raise capital and start up your own broadcasting company. Then you can air whatever crap you want. Who knows? Perhaps it could become bigger than Fox; at the vanguard of climate change and same sex marriage. Perhaps profits could pay off the debts of third world countries to the IMF and help develop sustainable industries. Be ambitious.  Don't just stick out your hand to a reluctant tax payer.Then again, your good at that, eh Bicycle Repair Man?

Garbage journalism from the garbage Teletrash.

One only has to pick up a copy of the Teletrash in the newsagents and look at the front page to know its standard of journalism. It is aimed at the dumb-dumbs, plenty of coloured pictures and photoshopping!

Actually I wonder who wrote the article for Costello?

Here's the thing, Redneck. THE TAXPAYERS ARE'NT FOOTING THE BILL. Can you get that?

the good ole boys wrote on Dec 25^th, 2015 at 9:47am:

Here's the thing, Redneck. THE TAXPAYERS ARE'NT FOOTING THE BILL. Can you get that?

You mean the Silligraph is free now?  Paying tax is no different from any other form of paying.. it's still paying... get your mind around that.  Why do you imagine tax paid is somehow a sacred cow?  You pay for services.... when you buy your Silligraph, do you demand that the owners spend the profits as you wish them to?

the good ole boys wrote on Dec 25^th, 2015 at 9:27am:

Rather than troll and antagonise, put forward an argument. 'Get up' and 'Occupy' are socialist organisations that are self funding.  Raise capital and start up your own broadcasting company. Then you can air whatever crap you want. Who knows? Perhaps it could become bigger than Fox; at the vanguard of climate change and same sex marriage. Perhaps profits could pay off the debts of third world countries to the IMF and help develop sustainable industries. Be ambitious.  Don't just stick out your hand to a reluctant tax payer.Then again, your good at that, eh Bicycle Repair Man?

Yeah, corporations and advertisers are going to work with a Socialist newspaper that calls for the restriction of business.
;D

This is where you right wingers are so clearly stupid as you 100% refuse to accept power dynamics in the world.

Also the ABC is not "left wing" why people support the ABC, the number one trusted and used media source in the country is because it sits in the center and it's the only major outlet that is independent from capital and gives airtime to both the left and right.

You News Corp shills who want the media 100% dominated by Murdoch and Lib propaganda are in a tiny minority and the polls show it.

Get over it.

The ABC is not independent of capital, Junior. It's funded by state capital. That makes it part of the government's propaganda arm. Can you grasp that? You're a cheerleader for the government's propaganda wing and you reckon I'm stupid?

Grappler, no one is being forced to pay for the 'Silligraph', There's no getting around the crazy brave leftards that want to bring down the Judeo-Christian capitalist patriarchy but just, please, um sorry, would you guys mind paying for it. WTF?????

the good ole boys wrote on Dec 25^th, 2015 at 1:14pm:

The ABC is not independent of capital, Junior. It's funded by state capital. That makes it part of the government's propaganda arm. Can you grasp that? You're a cheerleader for the government's propaganda wing and you reckon I'm stupid?

The ABC is independent from the Government. During Gillards era they (along with the entire CPG) were following The Australian pied piper almost word for word. If they were a propaganda arm of the Government wouldn't they be right wing as well since Australias two major parties sit on the right?

They're the propaganda arm of government in it's totality. There is more to thought than the plethora of polyester parasites in Canberra. This  country is more than the super-annuated bureaucrats in tax-payer funded Z cars. You're just swallowing what you're fed, boyo.

Sir Grappler Truth Teller OAM wrote on Dec 25^th, 2015 at 10:23am:

the good ole boys wrote on Dec 25th, 2015 at 9:47am: Here's the thing, Redneck. THE TAXPAYERS ARE'NT FOOTING THE BILL. Can you get that? You mean the Silligraph is free now?  Paying tax is no different from any other form of paying.. it's still paying... get your mind around that.  Why do you imagine tax paid is somehow a sacred cow?  You pay for services.... when you buy your Silligraph, do you demand that the owners spend the profits as you wish them to?

Paying tax isn't voluntary, buying The Telegraph is.

Kiron22 wrote on Dec 25^th, 2015 at 11:53am:

Yeah, corporations and advertisers are going to work with a Socialist newspaper that calls for the restriction of business. ;D This is where you right wingers are so clearly stupid as you 100% refuse to accept power dynamics in the world.

'power dynamics'. Yawn. Basically, lefties can't attain power legitimately so they concoct slogans like 'power dynamics'.

Or the way society is structurally set up protects the status quo and the right represent those that hold power?

How is Power dynamics made up in a hierarchical class based society? How is it hard to believe Business and those in power will protect their own interests over the interests of the working class?

What does the ABC care about the working class? The only commentary the ABC makes about poor Australians is with shows about housos and bogans and poverty porn like 'struggle street '. If you think the ABC advocates for the working class, you really do have your head up your own a.r.s.e.

Kiron22 wrote on Dec 26^th, 2015 at 11:10am:

Or the way society is structurally set up protects the status quo and the right represent those that hold power? How is Power dynamics made up in a hierarchical class based society? How is it hard to believe Business and those in power will protect their own interests over the interests of the working class?

Of course the business class will protect their interests. But don't blame 'power dynamics'. Blame the inability of the working classes to build a case for a convincing alternative. Or just blame Labor for selling themselves out to stupid issues like gay marriage, open borders, feminists, and other assorted idiotic causes.

Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on Dec 26^th, 2015 at 6:18am:

Kiron22 wrote on Dec 25th, 2015 at 11:53am: Yeah, corporations and advertisers are going to work with a Socialist newspaper that calls for the restriction of business. ;D This is where you right wingers are so clearly stupid as you 100% refuse to accept power dynamics in the world. 'power dynamics'. Yawn. Basically, lefties can't attain power legitimately so they concoct slogans like 'power dynamics'.

Horse-sh1t!

We have done so many times in the past, and we will in the future.

In fact, we ARE the future...

Kat wrote on Dec 27^th, 2015 at 7:15am:

Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on Dec 26th, 2015 at 6:18am: Kiron22 wrote on Dec 25th, 2015 at 11:53am: Yeah, corporations and advertisers are going to work with a Socialist newspaper that calls for the restriction of business. ;D This is where you right wingers are so clearly stupid as you 100% refuse to accept power dynamics in the world. 'power dynamics'. Yawn. Basically, lefties can't attain power legitimately so they concoct slogans like 'power dynamics'. Horse-sh1t! We have done so many times in the past, and we will in the future. In fact, we ARE the future...

;D ;D  DRIBBLE DRIBBLE MAXI

We are the future! you tosser ;) ;) ;)