Hanson renews ABC threat, vows to cut funding and push subscription model

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has renewed calls to strip most public funding from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, saying the national broadcaster has “failed its bias test yet again” and should move towards a subscription-based model.

In a post on X that has reignited debate around the future of public broadcasting in Australia, Hanson criticised ABC chair Kim Williams and outlined a proposal that would preserve some regional services while placing greater pressure on metropolitan news operations.

“The ABC has failed its bias test yet again, as chair Kim Williams is caught taking another swipe at One Nation,” Hanson said.

“I would pull the $1.3 billion in ABC funding, and turn them into a subscription.

“The regional places like radio that do a good job can stay but all the ABC “journalists” in the capital city will have to prove the Australian people want them.”

The comments come as questions continue around the role of taxpayer-funded media, editorial independence and audience trust in Australia’s changing media environment.

Federal budget papers show the ABC is expected to receive about $1.229 billion in government funding for 2025–26, with total expenses forecast at more than $1.3 billion.

Employee costs account for a large portion of the broadcaster’s spending, while staffing remains heavily concentrated in New South Wales and Victoria, where many of the ABC’s major television, radio and digital operations are based.

“I would pull the $1.3 billion in ABC funding, and turn them into a subscription. The regional places like radio that do a good job can stay but all the ABC “journalists” in the capital city will have to prove the Australian people want them.”

ABC workforce figures published last year recorded more than 4,600 non-casual employees nationally. Nearly half were located in New South Wales, with Victoria accounting for a further 17.5 per cent.

Sydney and Melbourne remain the centre of many national news and production teams. Hanson’s proposal would therefore place the sharpest focus on metropolitan editorial operations if pursued politically.

One Nation has criticised the ABC for years over what it describes as political bias within publicly funded media. Hanson’s latest comments suggest the party is continuing to push for structural reform in the media space.

Supporters of the approach argue taxpayers should not be required to fund media organisations they believe lack neutrality. Critics argue reducing ABC funding could weaken public interest journalism, emergency broadcasting capacity and national coverage outside commercial priorities.

The ABC continues to play a major role across television, radio, online reporting and regional broadcasting. Its charter requires it to provide services that contribute to a sense of national identity while reflecting the diversity of the Australian community.

Any shift towards a subscription-based structure would likely require legislative changes, operational restructuring and decisions about which services remain publicly funded.

Regional radio, which Hanson singled out for protection, has long been viewed as one of the broadcaster’s strongest public service functions, particularly during bushfires, floods and other emergencies.

The debate also arrives as Australian media companies continue adapting to falling traditional advertising revenue, audience fragmentation and growing competition from international digital platforms, podcasts, streaming services and subscription news outlets.