About 70 people gathered outside the Port Macquarie office of Nationals’ MP Luke Hartsuyker on Friday morning to defend the ABC from recent budget cuts.
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The protest was also directed at two current parliamentary enquiries into the ABC.
The action was organised by the Mid North Coast ABC Friends.
The group says its action sent a loud and clear message: hands off the ABC.
ABC Friends’ Drusi Megget says the public broadcaster cannot take more budget cuts.
“Since 2013, Coalition governments have axed $400 million from ABC funding, resulting in 1000 job losses,” Ms Megget said.
“The ABC now costs taxpayers just 4 cents a day, making it one of the most affordable public broadcasters in the world.
“It can’t take these further cuts in the May budget.
“Any move to damage the ABC punishes Australian audiences who trust and value the ABC.
One of the people involved in the action said about half the passing motorists either sounded their car horns or gave a thumbs up in support of their action and the ABC.
“It just proves the polls that 80 per cent of Australians trust the ABC way more than any other brand and far exceeding our opinion of politicians," the protester said.
The ABC Friends said more protest actions against the budget cuts are planned for the future.
