{"product_id":"their-abc-inside-australias-largest-sheltered-workshop-paperback","title":"Their ABC: Inside Australia's Largest Sheltered Workshop - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eRichard Alston\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ABC was established in 1932, following in the footsteps of the BBC. In its early years it was a shining example of a revered public broadcaster.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe key to its early success was having two strong minded, long serving General Managers who ensured that the place was well run, with everyone knowing their place.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut as the years went by senior management progressively outsourced responsibility to producers and celebrity presenters and the organisation lost its way, so that now it is little more than a mouthpiece for \"progressive\" outpourings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt still remains an important national institution, especially in regional Australia, but its political obsessions, catering almost exclusively for inner suburban elites, render it in dire need of reform.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Alston argues, the fundamental problem is that the ABC is a protected entity, with a guaranteed income in excess of a billion dollars, while commercial media outlets struggle to stay alive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith no competitors it doesn't have to earn a living and has no incentive to perform or innovate, let alone live within its means. Instead of catering for its audience it prefers to lecture to them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEffectively accountable to no one, it feels free to ignore its charter obligations, or the interests of its audience, ignoring valid criticism or contemptuously dismissing it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite being founded in the depths of the Depression it has long since lost interest in the joys and struggles of the middle class.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInstead of relating to basic issues such as jobs, families and incomes it prefers to pander to the elite, inner urban instincts of people like themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlston concludes with a practical reform agenda for adoption by government, but no doubt it will be strenuously contested by the organisation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRichard Alston AO has been a barrister, a senior Cabinet Minister, Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Federal President of the Liberal Party. He is currently a businessman and company director.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 76\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.18 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 01, 2022\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67924605665587,"sku":"9781922815071","price":34.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0300\/5595\/6612\/files\/6-Be80OoPb9781922815071.webp?v=1793832655","url":"https:\/\/www.vysn.com\/products\/their-abc-inside-australias-largest-sheltered-workshop-paperback","provider":"VYSN","version":"1.0","type":"link"}