ABC to go cap in hand to Albanese

By the Editorial Team · Monday, November 2, 2026

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation plans to request increased federal funding beyond its current $1.229 billion annual allocation before the existing agreement expires in 2028. The ABC argues that higher investment is necessary to maintain its national public service role amid historically low funding levels and aims to start early government discussions to ensure long-term financial stability.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) plans to request an increase to its current annual funding of $1.229 billion from the federal government ahead of the expiration of its existing five-year funding agreement in June 2028. ABC managing director Hugh Marks signaled the broadcaster’s intention to engage in early discussions with the Albanese government to secure additional financial support, citing a “compelling argument” for enhanced investment in its role as the national public media provider.

Marks outlined the ABC’s approach in the 2025-26 annual report tabled in parliament last week, emphasizing the importance of initiating funding talks well before the current term concludes. He noted that early engagement would facilitate longer-term planning, which would be challenging if funding certainty only came at the last minute.

The public broadcaster’s annual funding level has been a contentious topic within Australian politics for many years. Former prime minister Tony Abbott previously implemented $355 million in cuts over four years, despite prior assurances that ABC funding would remain unchanged. In contrast, the Albanese government recently extended the funding term from three to five years—a move welcomed by the ABC as providing greater financial stability.

However, ABC chairman Kim Williams has argued that current funding remains “extremely low by historical standards,” stating in April 2025 that in real terms, the ABC receives more than $150 million less annually than in 2013. He also highlighted that Australia’s per capita investment in public broadcasting is about 40 percent below the average among 20 comparable OECD democracies.

A spokesperson for Communications Minister Anika Wells declined to comment on the specifics of the ABC’s anticipated funding request, reiterating that all allocations are decided through the standard budget processes. The spokesperson added that the minister maintains regular contact with the ABC.

Beyond funding, the ABC plans to boost its marketing expenditure to increase audience engagement and promote its programming and services. Marks stated the broadcaster would pursue partnerships with cultural institutions and technology companies to expand its reach. The 2025-26 annual report showed the ABC spent $8.5 million on marketing, advertising, and promotions during the year, though the ABC has not disclosed its proposed marketing budget for the upcoming year.

The report also provided updates from the ABC ombudsman’s office, which handled nearly 19,000 complaints over the 2025-26 period—a three percent increase compared to the previous year. Most issues related to concerns over balance and bias, which accounted for 69 percent of content-related complaints, up from 62 percent in 2024-25. Complaints investigations found that 88 percent of cases complied with editorial standards.

The ABC employs more than 5,000 staff nationwide, including about 4,400 in metropolitan centers and over 600 in regional areas. The report noted 134 employees, excluding senior executives, earned salaries exceeding $260,000, with ten receiving termination benefits during the year. One individual whose base salary was $333,727 received a termination payment of $524,765 during the 2025-26 financial year.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.