The ABC and the SBS are vital to Australia’s sense of national identity and social cohesion. At a time of ongoing upheaval in the media sector and the financial vulnerability of news outlets, especially in regional Australia, it is more important than ever that we have properly funded and editorially independent public broadcasters. I will lobby for adequate and sustainable funding for the ABC and SBS to ensure they can fulfil their mandates to the Australia public, including maintaining the 5 year funding cycle to provide much needed certainty.