Statement of Concern about ABC Archives Restructure

History Councils of Australia

On 21 June 2022, the joint History Councils of Australia sent a Statement of Concern about the proposed ABC Archives Restructure to the following parties:

• Mr David Anderson, Managing Director, ABC 
• Ms Ita Buttrose, AC OBE, Chair, ABC 
• Hon Michelle Rowland, MP, Minister for Communications 
• Hon Tony Burke, MP, Minister for the Arts

In part it reads:

“The four state History Councils (New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia) wish to join with many other like-organisations and members of the wider public in expressing our concern about the announced decision of the ABC to terminate 58 positions of ABC librarians and archivists.

 

The History Councils are the peak bodies for history in these states, with the shared objective of furthering historical literacy and awareness and inspiring public engagement with the past, their identity and the world today.

 

Underpinning our concern is the unparalleled value of ABC archives as an historical and cultural resource for all Australians and for all time. The role of the ABC and its archives has never been more important than now, in its 90th year. These records are of crucial importance not only for ABC staff but as a record and resource for all those who research, write and comment on Australian and world affairs.

 

The History Councils express the wish that you will reconsider this proposal and would be happy to be involved in a wider consultation process.”

You can read the HCA’s full Statement of Concern here.

The History Councils of Australia consists of the History Council of NSW, the History Council of Victoria, the History Council of South Australia and the History Council of Western Australia.