So you think Australia's national broadcaster is biased?

Over the last two years I have noticed a growing number of people becoming quite vocal on social media sites such as Twitter concerning perceived bias by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Some appear convinced that bias is displayed in favour of right-wing political views and others are equally convinced that the ABC is part of a left-wing conspiracy.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority obviously does not agree with either view:

Call sign	Title/program or topic (PDF/Word download)	Outcome	Date of website publication
ABC (ABT Tasmania)	3118 ABC News	No breach - impartiality and privacy	28 Nov 2013
ABC (ABV Melbourne)	3108 (.docx 792 kb) Adam Hills Tonight	No breach – Harm and offence; Providing sufficient warning	7 Nov 2013
ABC (ABC2)	3103 (.docx 790 kb) Funny As: Steve Googan	No Breach—MA15+ classification guidelines (language)	1 Oct 2013
ABC (ABV Victoria)	3077 (.docx 782 kb) Q&A	No Breach—Harm & offence	24 Sept 2013
ABC (ABN)	3073 (.docx 788 kb) ABC News 24	No Breach—Content likely to cause harm/offence	11 Sept 2013
ABC3	3074 (.docx 805 kb) You’re Skitting Me	No Breach of standards 7.1 [Harm and offence] and 7.7 [Stereotyping and discriminatory content] of the ABC Code of Practice 2011	10 Sept 2013
ABC1 (ABN Sydney)	2997 (.docx 792 kb) Gruen Planet	No Breach—Captioning	9 Sept 2013
ABC (ABV Melbourne)	3059 (.docx 787 kb) The Elegant Gentleman’s Guide to Knife Fighting	No Breach—Harm or offence	29 Aug 2013
ABC (ABN Sydney)	3069 (.docx 788 kb) The Checkout	No Breach—Standard 7.1 [Content likely to cause harm/offence]	28 Aug 2013
ABC News 24	3041 (.docx 813 kb) The Drum	No Breach—Standards: 7.1 [Harm or offence] 7.7 [Unjustified use of stereotypes or discriminatory content]	14 Aug 2013
ABC Canberra	3025 (.docx 808 kb) ABC News	No Breach—Standards: 2.1 [Ensure that material facts are accurate and presented in context] 4.1 [Gather and present news with impartiality] 4.5 [Do not unduly favour one perspective] 5.3 [Opportunity to respond] 5.4 [Attribute information to its source]	26 Jul 2013
ABC (ABN)	3021 (.doc 840 kb) Promotion for Shaun Micallef's Made as Hell	No Breach—Standard 7.1 (Harm and offence)	15 Jul 2013
ABC Canberra	2865 (.docx 877 kb) 7.30	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality, fair and honest dealing	12 Jul 2013
ABC (ABN Sydney)	2956 (.doc 932 kb) Catalyst	No Breach—standards 2.1 or 2.2 (Accuracy)	11 Jul 2013
ABC Perth	2999 (.doc) ABC News	No Breach—Accuracy or misleading material	9 Jul 2013
ABC (ABV Melbourne)	3036 (.docx 835 kb) Q and A	No Breach—Present a diversity of perspectives; Not misrepresent any perspectives; Not unduly favour one perspective over another	8 Jul 2013
ABC (ABV) Australia-wide	2988 (.doc 888 kb) Compass – 'Churches on Trial'	No Breach—Harm and offence	8 Jul 2013
ABC1 (ABQ)	3047 (.docx 788 kb) Last Tango in Halifax	No Breach—Standard 7.3.1 (Television Classifications – PG) and Standard 7.3.3 (Television Classification Symbols) of the ABC Code of Practice 2011 (Revised 2013)	3 Jul 2013
ABC (ABN)	2975 (.doc 824 kb) ABC News 24	No Breach—4.1 [Impartiality] or 7.1 [Harm and offence]	2 Jul 2013
ABC (ABN)	2923 (.docx 797 kb) Gruen Transfer	Breach—section 130ZR(1) of Part 9 D of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 [Captioning]	4 Jun 2013
ABC (ABN)	2900 (.docx 2537kb) At the Movies	Breach—section 130ZR(1)(a) of Part 9D of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 [Captioning]	4 Jun 2013
ABC (ABQ)	3024 (.docx 276 kb) ABC News	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality	28 May 2013
ABC (ABV)	2974 (.doc 854 kb) 7:30	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality	16 May 2013
ABC (ABV)	2977 (.doc 824 kb) ABC News Breakfast	No Breach—Impartiality	14 May 2013
ABC (ABW)	2916 (.doc) ABC News	No Breach—Accuracy	1 May 2013
ABC (ABW)	2936 (.doc 872 kb) Clarke and Dawe	No Breach—Impartiality	30 Apr 2013
ABC1 (ABQ)	2966 (786 kb) The Pillars of the Earth	No Breach—Television classifications - M	24 Apr 2013
ABC (ABN)	2973 (881 kb) ABC News 24	No Breach—Accuracy; Stereotypes or discriminatory content	11 Apr 2013
ABC (ABT)	2945 (825 kb) Redfern Now,Warehouse Comedy Festival, Alan Carr: Chatty Man	No Breach—Harm or offence	11 Apr 2013
ABC (ABV)	2931 (897 kb) Lateline	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality; Balance	11 Apr 2013
ABC3 (ABQ)	2996 (.docx 790 kb) The Twisted Whiskers Show	No Breach—Television classifications - G	10 Apr 2013
ABC (ABQ)	2902 (.doc 845 kb) Insiders	No Breach—Accuracy	5 Apr 2013
ABC (ABN)	2912 (.docx 787 kb) News Update	Breach—Quality of Captions	27 Mar 2013
ABC (ABN)	2917 (.doc 856 kb) ABC News 24	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality	20 Mar 2013
ABC (ABT Tasmania)	2909 (.doc 849 kb) Prank Patrol	No Breach—Harm or offence; Stereotypes	20 Feb 2013
ABC (ABN News 24)	2903 (.docx 875 kb) The Drum	No Breach—Impartiality; Balance	13 Feb 2013
ABC (ABN Sydney)	2855 (.doc 889 kb) Catalyst	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality; Diversity of perspectives	29 Jan 2013
ABC (ABW Perth)	2882 (.doc 868 kb) Four Corners	No Breach—Privacy; Harm or offence	25 Jan 2013
ABC (ABN Nthn NSW)	2927 (.docx 789 kb) The Hamster Wheel	No Breach—Television classifications—M	17 Jan 2013
ABC (ABN Sydney)	2884 (827 kb) Catalyst	No Breach—Accuracy	9 Jan 2013
ABC (ABS SA)	2872 (PDF) 7.30	No Breach—Impartiality	20 Dec 2013
ABC (ABV Melbourne)	2853 (.doc 838 kb) Media Watch	No Breach—Accuracy	6 Dec 2012
ABC (ABN NSW)	2806 (.doc 857 kb) Media Watch	No Breach—Impartiality; Balance	6 Dec 2012
ABC (ABQ Brisbane)	2866 (.doc 829 kb) Lateline	No Breach—Impartiality; Balance	23 Nov 2012
ABC (ABC2)	2905 (.docx 779 kb) The Roast	No Breach—Television Classifications - PG	15 Nov 2012
ABC (ABQ)	2857 (.doc 954 kb) ABC News 24	No Breach—Impartiality	13 Nov 2012
ABC (ABT)	2877 (.doc 828 kb) ABC News 24	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality	7 Nov 2012
ABC (ABQ)	2862 (.doc 840 kb) ABC News	No Breach—Impartiality; Balance	7 Nov 2012
ABC (ABN)	2837 (.docx 894 kb) Media Watch	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality; Balance; Opportunity to respond; Stereotypes	6 Nov 2012
ABC (ABN)	2838 (.docx 861 kb) Media Watch	No Breach—Impartiality; Opportunity to respond; Harm and offence; Stereotypes	6 Nov 2012
ABC (News 24)	2863 (.docx 831 kb) ABC News Breakfast	No breach—Factual accuracy; Misleading factual content; Correction of errors	2 Oct 2012
ABC (ABQ Queensland)	2807 (.docx 799 kb) Budget 2012: The Treasurer's Speech	Breach—Captioning requirements	28 Sept 2012
ABC TV1	2730 (.docx 2.5 mb) Media Watch	Breach—Standard 5.3 (Opportunity to respond to allegations) of the ABC Code of Practice 2011 No Breach—Standards 2.1, 2.2 and 4.1 (Factual inaccuracy and Impartiality) of the ABC Code of Practice 2011	28 Sept 2012
ABC (ABQ Queensland)	2869 (.docx 786 kb) Rage	No Breach—Television classifications (G)	25 Sept 2012
ABC (ABV Victoria)	2847 (.docx 793 kb) Lateline	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartial presentation; Not favour one perspective over another	30 Aug 2012
ABC1 (ABQ Brisbane)	2799 (.docx 795 kb) Q&A Lateline	Breach—Captioning requirements	21 Aug 2012
ABN (Sydney)	2784 (.docx 785 kb) Raw Comedy Festival 2012	No Breach—Unjustified harm or offence; Stereotypes and discrimination	15 Aug 2012
ABW (Perth)	2788 (.doc 871 kb) The World	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality; Balance, sensitivity, stereotypes	13 Jul 2012
ABC (ABN NSW)	2821 (.doc 893 kb) Lateline	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality	13 Jul 2012
ABC (Canberra)	2810 (.docx 784 kb) The Hamster Wheel	No Breach—Harm and offence	20 Jun 2012
ABC3 (ABV Victoria)	2808 (.docx 779 kb) You're Skitting Me	No breach—Television classifications (G)	20 Jun 2012
ABC TV1 (ABV)	2805 (.doc 821 kb) 7.30	No Breach—Impartiality	8 Jun 2012
ABC TV3 (Victoria)	2672 (.docx 813 kb) Behind the News Extra	No Breach—Factual accuracy; Correction of significant errors; Impartiality; Representing perspectives	8 Jun 2012
ABC1 (ABV Victoria)	2738 (.docx 777 kb) The Slap	No Breach—Inappropriate depictions of sex, drug use and themes	7 Jun 2012
ABW (WA)	2795 (.docx 824 kb) ABC News	No Breach—Harm or offence; Sensitivity, distress to relatives and cultural practices	21 May 2012
ABW (Perth)	2669 (.docx 835 kb) Jandamarra's War	No Breach—Accuracy; Discrimination	14 May 2012
ABC TV1 (ABV Victoria)	2767 (.doc 815 kb) Midday Report	No Breach—Dangerous imitation	10 May 2012
ABC3 (ABV Victoria)	2777 (.docx 778 kb) Kaeloo	No Breach—Television classifications (G)	27 Apr 2012
ABC (Darwin)	2783 (.doc 851 kb) ABC News 24	No Breach—Factual accuracy; Impartiality	24 Apr 2012
ABC1 (Perth)	2757 (.docx 810 kb) Rage	No Breach—Television classifications (G); Harm and offence (dangerous imitation and threats to health); Children and young people (managing risks of exposure to ABC content); Children and young people (minimise risk of exposure to unsuitable content)	16 Apr 2012
ABV (Victoria)	2749 (.doc 829 kb) Tim Minchin vs The Sydney Symphony Orchestra	No Breach—Harm or offence; Stereotypes or discriminatory content	2 Apr 2012
ABN (NSW)	2748 (.docx 788 kb) Tim Minchin vs The Sydney Symphony Orchestra	No Breach—Harm or offence; Stereotypes or discriminatory content	2 Apr 2012
ABC1 (ABW WA)	2752 (.docx 780 kb) The Thick of It	No Breach—Language	9 Mar 2012
ABC News 24	2727 (.docx 780 kb) Channel promotion	No Breach—Impartiality	7 Mar 2012
ABC1 (Melbourne)	2739 (.docx 786 kb) The Slap—Manolis	No Breach—Language; Sex; Harm and offence	24 Feb 2012
ABC (ABN Sydney)	2673 (.docx 976 kb) Judith Lucy's Spiritual Journey	No Breach—Harm or offence; Dignity and welfare of children and young people	17 Feb 2012
ABC (ABN Sydney)	2723 (.docx 793 kb) The Hamster Wheel	No Breach—Stereotypes or discriminatory content	14 Feb 2012
ABC2 (Victoria)	2718 (.docx 799 kb) Martin Morning	No Breach—Dangerous imitation; Manage and minimise risks for children and young people	10 Feb 2012
ABC1 (Qld)	2735 (.docx 792 kb) The Night Watch	No Breach—Sex; Nudity; Harm and offence	8 Feb 2012
ABC1 (Perth)	2715 (.docx 784 kb) The Song of Lunch	No Breach—Classification time zone	7 Feb 2012
ABC TV1 (Victoria)	2698 (.docx 791 kb) The Gruen Transfer	No Breach—Harm or offence; Stereotypes or discriminatory content	6 Feb 2012
ABC TV	2694 (.docx 814 kb) Four Corners	No Breach—Balance will be sought	6 Feb 2012
ABC (ABN Sydney)	2722 (.docx 791 kb) 7:30	No Breach—Stereotypes or discriminatory content	1 Feb 2012
ABC1	2724 (.docx 791 kb) Q&A	No Breach—Language	25 Jan 2012
ABC Canberra / ABN Sydney	2680 (.doc 957 kb) ABC News	No Breach—Stereotypes or discriminatory content	11 Jan 2012
ABC1	2705 (.docx 789 kb) The Slap—Hector	No Breach—Language; Sex	11 Jan 2012
ABC1	2706 (.docx 787 kb) The Slap—Anouk	No Breach—Language; Sex	11 Jan 2012
ABC1	2642 (.doc 991 kb) Hungry Beast	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality; Unduly favour one perspective over another	11 Jan 2012
ABC1	2644 (.doc 992 kb) Four Corners	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality; Unduly favour one perspective over another	11 Jan 2012
ABC (ABV Melbourne)	2638 (.doc 1.1 mb) Lateline	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality; Unduly favour one perspective over another	11 Jan 2012

http://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/ACMAi/Investigation-reports/Television-investigations/television-operationsabc-tv-investigations

The Canberra Times 21 December 2012:

THE broadcasting watchdog has dismissed allegations the 7.30 host, Leigh Sales, showed bias against the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority investigated the interview, broadcast on August 22, in which Ms Sales grilled Mr Abbott over his claim that BHP suspended its Olympic Dam project as a result of the carbon tax.

Ms Sales extracted an admission from Mr Abbott that he had not read BHP's statement, which made no mention of the tax......

Il Papa Anthony Speaks

“He’ll either be the pope or prime minister”

Fay Abbott

It is said of the doctrine of papal infallibility and of papal definitive acts that; his definitions, of themselves,...are justly held irreformable, for they are pronounced with the assistance of the Holy Spirit... 

In other words, what il papa in Rome decides to utter as a doctrinal matter of faith or morals is the unalterable truth coming to him through an invisible presence in the heavens on high and, no-one has the right to question his pronouncements.

This explains much about Tony Abbott’s character, his perception of the role of an Australian prime minister, his approach to policy creation and his almost pathological desire for decision-making secrecy.

He thinks he’s the Antipodean pope.

This was Il papa Anthony in Australia on 10 January 2014, the saint’s day of that other defender of orthodoxy, Gregory of Nyssa:

The Prime Minister this morning likened his mission to stopping the boats to a war, and said it should therefore be understandable that his government was a closed book on asylum operations so as to not give vital information to the "enemy".....

"In the end we are in a fierce contest with these people smugglers and if we were at war we wouldn't be giving out information that is of use to the enemy just because we might have an idle curiosity about it ourselves,.....

Asked about the current state of Australian-run detention centres and whether or not they were up to adequate humanitarian standards, Mr Abbott said he did not apologise that they were not "five star or even three star hotels".

"Let's remember that everyone in these centres is there because he or she has come illegally by boat. They have done something that they must have known was wrong," he said.

2013-2014 Australian Summer's best photograph

 All creatures great and small enjoy keeping cool in Australia's increasing hot summers......

https://twitter.com/firstdogonmoon

Scott Morrison and Serco Australia Pty Ltd

Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Scott Morrison and his department have responsibility for immigration detention centres.

These centres are for people who have overstayed their visa, are in breach of their visa conditions or who have come here without a valid visa. People who are refused entry into Australia at international airports and seaports may also be detained in an immigration detention centre. The centres provide accommodation for medium and high risk detainees and the majority of the population are single adult males.

UK based Serco Group Pty Ltd through its subsidiary Serco Australia Pty Limited has been contracted by the Australian Government to operate the detention centres.

Serco Australia’s principal shareholders are listed in its 2012 Annual Report as:

This is what Serco says of itself:

* Serco is committed to working transparently and in accordance with the laws and financial reporting requirements of the countries in which it operates.

We prepare our financial reports to high standards, ensure that they are properly audited and seek to lodge them in compliance with the relevant requirements and in line with accounting standards.

Serco Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in accordance with its Rules, publishes Annual Reports and Accounts and Stock Exchange Announcements.

Our Asia Pacific division is made up of a number of companies.

In Australia, Serco operates as Serco Group Pty Limited, comprised of: Serco Australia Pty Limited; Great Southern Railway Holdings Pty Limited; and, Serco Traffic Camera Services (Vic) Pty Ltd. We seek to comply with the Corporations Act in providing special purpose financial reports to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

* In line with our values, Serco is committed to treating people in our care with dignity and respect in a safe and secure environment. Across Australia's network of immigration centres, our staff work hard to ensure the wellbeing of people in administrative detention, and to deliver high quality services.

We provide catering, recreation, education and excursions, manage accommodation, facilities, maintenance, transport and logistics, security, training and procurement. Our employees look after thousands of people in locations all over Australia, responding to their cultural, religious and individual needs.

Community engagement is an important part of our approach. It's beneficial to the welfare of the people we look after, and consistent with our intention to be a good neighbour to those who live in the areas where we work. We also welcome the involvement of external agencies and independent observers, as we believe clear and strong accountability is a key element in successful service delivery.

We seek to innovate, develop and continuously improve in our provision of immigration services, to meet our responsibilities and fulfil our duty of care.

Serco Australia has been in the news recently due to its alleged penny pinching ways with regard to supplying sanitary pads/tampons to female detainees, an allegation of rape at its Christmas Island detention centre, complaints about poor security at Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre, dehumanising detainees by using numbers instead of names and making Curtin detainees jump through hoops to access phone calls and then restricting their ability to do so, denying them access to scanning facilities and instituting a complete blackout of Australian television stations.

It is also alleged that it has been price gouging under a contract it has to transport West Australian prisoners and, in 2013 admitted to inappropriate sexual contact between a male guard and female detainee.

Serco Australia’s British parent company is also under fire for the supply of inadequate asylum seeker housing services, and been ordered to repay £68.5m of taxpayers' money after being found to be overcharging for prisoner tagging.

One has to wonder why Morrison and his department continue to support this private company.

Senate asks Abbott's Commission of Audit to explain itself

Australian Parliament – Senate notice:

On 11 December 2013 a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee into the Abbott Government’s Commission of Audit, was established to inquire into the Commission of Audit established by the Commonwealth Government and, in particular, any report of that Commission to the Government, with interim reports as the committee sees fit and a final report on or before 13 May 2014.

Submissions should be received by 31 January 2014.

Today national audit commissioners are due to appear before this select committee and will be asked what instructions they have been given by ministers on everything from raising the GST to selling off Medibank Private and Australia Post. The proposed $6 Medicare levy and any changes to industrial relations laws will also be topics under scrutiny.

Will some or all of the commissioners attend or will they send their excuses?

The Commission's first phase report is due to be delivered to the Abbott Government by the end of January 2014.