GOVERNMENT REPORT
CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVE FUNDING MODELS
Given this evidence of the ABC Management's attitude towards RA, the
Government Senators are of the view that while not taking any concluded
view on the issue, it may be worthwhile further examining the possibilities
of different funding models for RA.
The Committee had the benefit of considerable evidence in relation
to alternative funding models, such as those pertaining to the BBC World
Service and Radio Canada International. These alternative funding models
are described in the majority report. In particular, the Canadian model
may be worth further consideration.
A number of other witnesses before the Committee expressed views on
the relative merits of the various alternative fundings structures that
had been suggested. For example:
Mr Westland,An idea that we have floated
or suggested is an advisory committee or an advisory board comprising
people from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department
of Communications and the Arts, the Department of Defence, independent
people and the chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Defence and Trade to act as an advisory or policy making board, an overseeing
board, for Radio Australia and ATV. They would set goals for the organisation
and set policy directions for the organisation to ensure that we are
given a goal, that we are given a direction to take. [1]
Footnotes
[1] Committee Hansard, p. 170.