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As the Federal Government’s proposed legislation to relax restrictions on who can own and operate newspapers, TV and radio stations in Australia, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party has reportedly proposed that ABC funding should be cut as a condition of its support for the legislation.

New polling released today shows a combined 74% of South Australians want funding to the ABC increased or maintained, while 18% supported cutting the national broadcaster.

When asked specifically about whether the Government should cut the ABC in order to get One Nation’s support for their media reform laws, support was 16.5%.

Question: Thinking about government funding for the ABC. Do you think funding for the ABC should be reduced, increased, or stay the same?

	Total	Female	Male	18-34	35-50	51-65	65+
Increased	40.4%	38.5%	42.5%	37.5%	43.3%	43.0%	36.8%
Stay the same	33.4%	37.7%	28.8%	38.2%	26.0%	30.9%	40.1%
Reduced	17.5%	12.3%	23.0%	14.8%	19.8%	19.1%	16.3%
Don’t know/Not sure	8.7%	11.5%	5.7%	9.4%	10.9%	7.0%	6.8%

ReachTEL conducted a survey of 1,589 residents in South Australia. The survey was conducted on the night of the 29^th June 2017. The data has been weighted to reflect the population age and gender distribution as provided by the ABS. Copyright ReachTEL Pty Ltd.

Question: The federal government has proposed legislation to relax restrictions on who can own and operate newspapers, TV and radio stations in Australia. Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party has proposed that ABC funding should be cut as a condition of its support for the legislation.

To secure One Nation’s support to relax media ownership laws, should the Government cut ABC funding?

	Total	LNP	Labor	Greens	NXT	Other	Und
Yes	16.5%	27.2%	4.3%	2.1%	6.1%	20.0%	8.0%
No	64.8%	53.1%	81.8%	89.5%	78.3%	62.5%	50.4%
Don’t know/Not sure	18.7%	19.7%	13.9%	8.4%	15.7%	17.5%	41.6%

“This research further confirms that the ABC is Australia’s most trusted broadcaster,” Executive Director of The Australia Institute, Ben Oquist said.

“At a time when concerns about so-called ‘fake news’ is at an all-time high and journalism jobs are being cut across the country, there has never been a greater need for a strong, independent and trusted national broadcaster.

The polling also asked voters about the idea of limiting the ABC’s digital content which has been criticised by some in the commercial media.

Question: The ABC has a strong online and digital content and presence, in addition to its TV and radio broadcasting. Do you support or oppose the ABC having a strong online and digital presence, even if it effects the commercial viability of commercial media outlets?

	Total	LNP	Labor	Greens	NXT	Other	Und
Support	56.3%	42.9%	74.9%	88.5%	55.9%	67.5%	40.4%
Oppose	16.4%	24.8%	5.8%	1.0%	16.6%	15.0%	10.5%
Don’t know/Not sure	27.4%	32.3%	19.3%	10.4%	27.5%	17.5%	49.1%

“To limit the ABC’s digital content at a time when people are increasingly accessing their news and media in this way, would amount to an attempt to make the national broadcaster irrelevant,” Oquist said.

Federal Labor ahead in South Australia

The poll also assessed Federal voting intention in South Australia, finding the Coalition well behind Labor on 2PP.

Question 1: If a Federal election were to be held today, which of the following would receive your first preference vote?

	Total	Female	Male	18-34	35-50	51-65	65+
Liberal National Party	32.6%	31.0%	34.2%	31.8%	29.3%	29.8%	41.9%
Labor	29.4%	29.4%	29.3%	31.5%	32.4%	27.2%	24.4%
The Greens	6.0%	5.0%	7.1%	9.2%	6.4%	4.4%	2.9%
NXT	14.5%	17.9%	10.8%	9.0%	14.9%	17.5%	17.9%
One Nation	4.3%	3.4%	5.2%	5.4%	2.7%	5.7%	2.9%
Australian Conservatives	3.7%	2.5%	5.0%	4.3%	2.7%	4.6%	3.2%
Other / Independent	2.5%	1.2%	3.9%	2.5%	3.3%	3.1%	0.6%
Undecided	7.1%	9.6%	4.5%	6.3%	8.2%	7.7%	6.2%

Question 1a: Being undecided to which of the following do you have even a slight leaning?

	Total
Liberal National Party	23.9%
Labor	38.1%
The Greens	8.0%
NXT	20.4%
One Nation	4.4%
Australian Conservatives	2.7%
Other / Independent	2.7%