ABC chair Ita Buttrose.Credit:Dan Himbrechts
The ABC is facing $84 million less in funding over three years than previously expected as part of an indexation pause introduced by the Turnbull government in the 2018 Federal budget. The ABC has argued this amounts to a budget cut and could cause it to make tough decisions around staff and programming.
One of the key topics for discussionis a plan to save money by removing the ABC's TV channels from pay-TV service Foxtel. Under current arrangements the ABC pays $4 million to Foxtel and its satellite providers to air its shows on the platform.
Also on the agenda is a new employee pay agreement that has been the subject of intense disagreement between ABC staff and management. It would see staff receive a one-year 1.7 per cent backdated pay rise. The media unions initially requested a 3.5 per cent increase and are encouraging staff to vote no before voting closes on Monday.
The ABC is close to ending its deal with Foxtel,sources close to the public broadcaster said. But there are concerns doing so may mean some Australians might face additional costs to access the ABC via satellite transmissions in remote areas.
Ending the agreement with Foxtel was one of the recommendations made in the 2018 efficiency review of the ABC and SBS,led by former Foxtel chief executive Peter Tonagh and ex-Australian Communications and Media Authority acting chair Richard Bean. The suggestion was also made in the 2014 efficiency review,led by Peter Lewis who is currently on the ABC's board.
Ms Buttrose said in May that staff should not be concerned about job losses as they would look to other measures to save before considering cutting staff as there were"many"things that could be cut.
Mr Andersondeclined his 2 per cent pay rise in July,in part to the budget measures and his relatively recent promotion,with some staff asking for senior management to consider forfeiting their bonuses. The ABC has previously said the current offer for staff is the best the broadcaster can do"while we consider how to meet our financial challenges".