Federal teal independent MP Kylea Tink,state Liberal MP Tim James and Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor say the feasibility study into the proposed relocation of the multicultural broadcaster from Artarmon was “less than opaque”.
The Albanese government has set up a feasibility study into moving the SBS from Artarmon to western Sydney.Supplied
“We are concerned and frustrated over the complete lack of consultation with our community in what can only be described as blatant disrespect of the electorates we represent,” they wrote in a letter to federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.
The federal government in April announced a feasibility study into moving the SBS from Artarmon,as.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last year moving the multicultural broadcaster to western Sydney “makes sense” as a cultural investment in the city’s west.
The letter said the feasibility study being conducted by a committee led by former top bureaucrat Mike Mrdak “seems set on a path that makes little economic sense”.
North Sydney teal independent MP Kylea TInk says there is no business case to support the relocation of SBS from Artarmon.James Brickwood
“The cynic would say this is as blatant an effort to pork barrel a western Sydney community,whilst punishing a community in the north,” the letter said.
The ABC last year it would relocate up to 300 staff from its offices in Ultimo to Parramatta to get its staff out of the inner city and reflect the broader Australian community.
Rowland represents the seat of Greenway that overlaps with Blacktown City Council,whose mayor Tony Bleasdale said the SBS would be a “perfect fit”.
The feasibility study will also assess the costs and benefits of an arts hub in western Sydney for content creation,arts or industry training “with SBS at its heart”.
A spokesman for Rowland said the study would consider a range of factors to determine whether a possible move “stacks up”.
“Any decision on relocation is ultimately a matter for the SBS board,” he said.
An SBS spokesman said the broadcaster was actively participating in the study.
“Our priority will remain accessing the talent,tools and technologies we need to continue fulfilling our charter each and every day for our audiences who are in all corners of Australia,” he said.
Tink said she would back relocating the SBS if the feasibility study was conducted in a transparent,fair way but “nobody in my community is being consulted”.
James said there had been no suggestion the SBS headquarters at Artarmon were not fit for purpose until the Albanese government announced the study.
“Indeed,the federal government has made substantial investments in the facilities at Artarmon,” he said.
He said the feasibility study was designed purely to achieve a predetermined desired political outcome – “the pork-barrelling of western Sydney seats”.
James said north shore suburbs such as Chatswood and Artarmon were among the most multicultural centres in the state.
“This community celebrates its diversity and is an obvious home for SBS,” he said.
“We all want to see western Sydney flourish,but it should not come at the expense of one of Sydney’s biggest and most significant multicultural areas in Willoughby,” he said.
Taylor said the relocation of SBS would be a “devastating loss” and have a significant impact on the local economy.
“We are outraged by the lack of community engagement to date with the businesses,employees,neighbours and community that has supported SBS for over 25 years,” she said.
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