We, the undersigned, hereby request additional funding to be granted to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation by the Federal Government to resurrect the additional Digital Television Channels: ABC Kids and Fly TV. Due to the cutbacks in the 2003 Federal Budget, ABCs Managing Director Russell Balding announced that the extra digital channels would be closed down. In a press release he said that his decision was made with the full knowledge of the Federal Government, even after requests for additional funding were submitted.

The multi-channelling provided by the ABC over the past 3 years has created a feasible incentive for the average Australian to purchase a Digital TV Set Top Box and receive additional content. Without this incentive the uptake of DTV in Australia can only be harmed, which contrary to the Governments original intention. The locally produced content supplied on Fly gave Australian youth a high quality of entertainment and educational viewing. It also offered a wide reaching visual medium for local artists to showcase their creative talent. 38 full time positions were also effected due to this decision.

This petition aims to provide Australian Digital TV viewers and Australian Youth with a united voice to communicate to parliament so the extent of their budgetary decisions for the ABC can be realised and hopefully reversed.