CPSU, Demonstrations, MEAA

ABC cuts: supporter rallies roll into Sydney during week of action: Does anybody advise this government?
abc rally
The rally to protest against cuts to the ABC outside the Town Hall in Sydney on Saturday. Photograph: Mike Bowers/Guardian Australia

Protests against cuts to the ABC and SBS have been held in various cities as supporters in Melbourne and Canberra gear up

Politicians, media personalities and ABC supporters rallied against deep budget cuts to the public broadcaster on Saturday as a national week of action moves around Australia.

Hundreds attended the rally, part of a union-led series of protests, at Sydney’s Town Hall square.

ABC staff are bracing for significant job losses to compensate for $254m in government funding cuts.

The deputy opposition leader, Tanya Plibersek, Greens senator Scott Ludlam and the ABC journalist Quentin Dempster addressed the crowds.

The national week of action organised by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) began on 18 November and will end on Tuesday.

Rallies have already been held in Alice Springs, Darwin, Hobart, Newcastle, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, among other cities. Similar rallies were due to be held in Melbourne on Sunday and Canberra on Tuesday.