Western Sydney councils have expressed their disappointment in the Federal Government’s backflip on plans for an expansion of the operations of broadcaster, SBS, to the western suburbs.
The Government today advised SBS it will no longer be proceeding with the proposed expansion into the western suburbs, indicating the decision was made in the context of the current fiscal environment.
In an email to staff, SBS Acting Managing Director Jane Palfreyman said: “It is disappointing the initiative will not be progressing, given the opportunities it presented to expand SBS’ facilities and content capacity, build on its existing work, tell more stories, and deepen engagement in one of Australia’s most diverse and fastest-growing regions.”
She said SBS remains “deeply committed” to the communities of Western Sydney.
Liverpool City Council Mayor, Ned Mannoun has called on the voters of Western Sydney to let their local Federal MPs know that the decision is “a big mistake”.
“The decision to pull the funding for SBS to move from the leafy north shore of Sydney to multicultural Western Sydney is a retrograde betrayal of hope and ambition,” Mayor Mannoun said.
“Liverpool Council has been calling for this for around 11 years and for it to be dumped at the last minute is a massive betrayal of trust,” Mayor Mannoun said.
“Let’s be clear: Southwestern Sydney is Australia’s multicultural heart, it beats in Liverpool, and that’s where our multicultural broadcaster should have been located.
“It’s where more than 140 cultures live, work and thrive, and where over 150 languages are spoken every single day.
“Yet the nation’s multicultural broadcaster has now been effectively told by the government to stay put. The message is unmistakable: multiculturalism and Western Sydney simply don’t matter to Canberra.
“The voters of Western Sydney should be furious. This is not just a broken commitment, it’s a snub, a downgrade, a clear sign that the west is still being treated as second-class.
“This decision isn’t just disappointing, it’s a blatant insult to the most multicultural region in the country and a kick in the guts to the millions of people who call Western Sydney home.
“Liverpool City Council did everything asked of it, and more. We followed every requirement to the letter. We invested heavily because SBS made its criteria non-negotiable. We got involved because it had Federal Government backing. Now, the federal government has walked away without warning,” said Mayor Mannoun.
City of Parramatta Council said the Federal Government’s decision was “an insult to the region and its communities”.
The Council advocated for Parramatta to be the home of the new production hub, after it was identified as one of several ideal Western Sydney locations for Australia’s national multilingual broadcaster.
Lord Mayor, Martin Zaiter said today’s decision was deeply disappointing and raised questions about the Federal Government’s commitment to equity and opportunity for the region.
“This is a shameful decision and a clear insult to the people of western Sydney,” Lord Mayor Zaiter said.
“The Federal Government committed to fund an SBS production hub in the west, and now appears to be backing away from that promise. Western Sydney has once again been left behind.”
He said Western Sydney is home to some of the most culturally and linguistically diverse communities in the country and is exactly where Australia’s multilingual public broadcaster should be investing in jobs, skills and storytelling.
“Parramatta is already proving itself as Western Sydney’s media and cultural capital.”
“We are home to people from 117 nationalities, with more than half our population born overseas.
“We host the ABC’s flagship television news broadcast and major newsrooms like the Sydney Morning Herald are already embedded in our CBD.
“That’s exactly why Parramatta was a natural fit for an SBS production hub – and why walking away from this commitment makes no sense.
“Failing to deliver this production hub sends the wrong message to millions of people who deserve to see their stories told and their voices heard,” the Parramatta Mayor said.
In a statement, the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) said it was disappointed by the decision but remained optimistic of a positive outcome.
“While we acknowledge the outcome of the feasibility review, the original proposal reflected a strong and sensible vision,” it stated.
“We see this as a temporary setback rather than a closed door.
“WSROC looks forward to continued engagement with the Australian Government and Treasury to explore practical pathways that could support a future relocation.
“We remain confident that, over time, the case for SBS to have a stronger presence in Western Sydney will only grow.”
Blacktown Mayor, Brad Bunting said the outcome was disappointing “for Blacktown City, and for the people of Western Sydney”.
“SBS should be in Western Sydney, and Blacktown City, with one of the most diverse communities in the country, would be a great home for such an important national institution,” he said.
“Blacktown City is home to a vibrant and growing community of 450,000 people speaking more than 180 languages.
“We understand the budget pressures facing the Federal Government, and we are ready to work with the Minister on future opportunities to bring SBS to where it belongs, here in Western Sydney.
“The fact the Government invested in exploring this proposal shows the case is there, and the case for a stronger national presence in Western Sydney remains clear. We see this as a ‘not now’ decision, not a ‘not ever’ decision.”
A spokesperson for Federal Communications Minister, Anika Wells said the Government would continue to support SBS “now and into the future”.
“The Albanese government is proud to have delivered five-year funding terms to the SBS,” the spokesperson said.
