Labor Accused of Redirecting SBS Resources to Western Sydney as Victoria Decries "Political Favoritism"*
Labor Accused of Redirecting SBS Resources to Western Sydney as Victoria Decries "Political Favoritism"*
Labor Accused of Redirecting SBS Resources to Western Sydney as Victoria Decries "Political Favoritism"*
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry has ignited controversy after revelations that the Albanese Labor Government directed SBS to establish a new production hub in Western Sydney, overriding claims that the decision was independently made by the broadcaster. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Victoriaโs opposition, which alleges the federal government is prioritizing political gains in marginal seats over equitable investment in the arts and multicultural communities nationwide.
During a hearing at the Victorian Parliamentโs Legislative Council Inquiry into the Arts and Creative Industries this week, senior SBS officials contradicted federal Arts Minister Tony Burkeโs December 2024 assertion that the Western Sydney hub was an initiative of the SBS board and management. Instead, witnesses confirmed the Albanese Government had spearheaded the decision, sparking accusations of Sydney-centric bias and the sidelining of Victoriaโs cultural sector.
*Disparity in Resources Sparks Outcry*
Data from SBSโs latest annual report underscores longstanding concerns about resource allocation between states: just 172 SBS staff are based in Victoria, compared to 1,033 in New South Wales, despite both states having near-identical population shares. Critics argue the new hub exacerbates this imbalance, funneling jobs, creative opportunities, and infrastructure into Western Sydney while leaving Victoria overlooked.
โAnthony Albanese and Labor are abandoning Victoria and the diverse communities in our state by using SBS to buy votes in Western Sydney,โ said Evan Mulholland, Victoriaโs Shadow Minister for the Arts and Creative Industries. โVictoria is the cultural and multicultural capital of Australiaโฆ To have both broadcasters headquartered in just one part of Sydney is an insult.โ
Mulholland condemned the decision as โshort-sightedโ and accused federal Labor of undermining the independence of national broadcasters, which are mandated to serve all Australians. He urged SBS and the ABC to relocate their headquarters to multicultural hubs in Melbourneโs outer suburbs, such as Broadmeadows or Dandenong, to better reflect Australiaโs diversity.
*Calls for Broadcasters to Reflect Multicultural Heartlands*
โIt would be far more representative and valuable for the ABC and SBS to be headquartered in Broadmeadows or Dandenong, where they can be part of our diverse communities,โ Mulholland argued. โOnly then will they be truly representative of all Australiansโa key requirement of a national broadcaster.โ
The dispute has reignited debates about the geographic and cultural focus of Australiaโs public broadcasters. While Western Sydney is home to significant migrant communities, Victoriaโwhere nearly 30% of residents speak a language other than English at homeโhas long positioned itself as the nationโs multicultural epicenter. Critics contend that concentrating media resources in Sydney undermines equitable representation and stifles regional creative economies.
The Albanese Government has yet to respond to the allegations of political interference. SBS, meanwhile, maintains that its operations โserve all Australians,โ though its leadership acknowledged the challenges of balancing federal priorities with regional needs during the inquiry.
*Broader Implications for National Broadcasters*
The controversy highlights growing scrutiny over the independence of public broadcasters and their susceptibility to political influence. With both the ABC and SBS now expanding their Western Sydney footprints, stakeholders warn that other states risk losing out on critical cultural investments.
As the inquiry continues, Victorian advocates are demanding transparency over how federal funding and infrastructure decisions are madeโand calling for a recalibration of Australiaโs media landscape to ensure it reflects the nationโs diversity beyond the shores of Sydney Harbour.
For now, the battle over SBSโs footprint underscores a deeper tension: whether Australiaโs institutions can rise above partisan politics to genuinely embody the multicultural ideals they are tasked with celebrating.
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