ABC operations

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Ballarat young people to Takeover!

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The ABC’s Takeover program is heading to Ballarat in 2025!

Takeover offers young people a platform for their voices and perspectives to be heard on the ABC and celebrated in their communities.

Justin Stevens, ABC Director of News, said that the ABC is proud of its longstanding history working in regional areas to bring stories to a national audience.

“Takeover is a wonderful opportunity to elevate the voices of young people who grew up in regional areas. It assists the ABC in telling a more complete picture of our nation from all communities,” he said.

The ABC’s principal partner, VicHealth is proud to continue their legacy of creating space for young people to share their stories and participate in projects that positively impact their communities. Professor Anna Peeters, CEO of VicHealthsays:

“Creating a safe space in regional areas allows young people to confidently speak their truth and is apowerful way for them tofeel more connected with their communities,” she said

Providing a safe space for young people to share their experience is a powerful way for young people in regional areas to feel more connected with their community,” she said.

“VicHealth is proud to support Takeover Ballarat and we’re looking forward to hearing the stories and ideas of young people from the region.”

The ABC are looking to hear from a diverse range of young people.

Dr Jess Walsh, the Minister for Youth is excited to see the stories uncovered in Ballarat:

“ABC Takeover is an absolute highlight of the year, and I loved attending the inspiring Takeover in Burnie, Tasmania.”

“I can’t wait to hear what the young people of Ballarat have to say and what matters to them.”

“Programs like ABC Takeover give young people the opportunity to be celebrated for everything they contribute – and I’m proud that the Albanese Government is helping to bring Takeover to Ballarat.”

The program will culminate in a five-day youth summit, to be held in the heart of Ballarat in June 2026.

City of Ballarat’s Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves affirmed the importance of youth voices, and how exciting programs like Takeover can offer great opportunities to young people.

“Our Youth Strategy 2022-2026 vision is for young people to be supported to reach their full potential in a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment - and we feel ABC’s Takeover program aligns with this.”

“I’m excited to hear the voices and ideas of young people from our community. We hope to see as many young people as we can take up this opportunity and have their voices celebrated.”

The Takeover Ballarat Summit, to be held in mid-2026, will see the stories of up to 35 Winners celebrated through a red-carpet screening and an Ideas Presentation, highlighting their ideas for making the community an even better place to grow up.

Through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), funding will be available to bring the youth-developed ideas to life in their community. Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR says:

“Young people in regional areas grow up in environments that have opportunities and challenges that are unique to them. We’re thrilled to support this opportunity for the youth to not only voice their ideas but also take action.”

“At the Summit, they will come together with local not-for-profit organisations to brainstorm ideas to create positive change in their community. We’ll then back these projects with small grants, helping to make their communities even better places to live, work and play.”

Young people who live, work or study in Ballarat and are aged 15 - 18 can submit entries via the Takeover website from Wednesday 8 October.

ABC Takeover acknowledges the support of VicHealth, City of Ballarat, Centre for Multicultural Youth, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and the Office for Youth.

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Taxpayers slugged with $2.5m bill in ABC’s defence after it unlawfully terminated Antoinette Lattouf

Taxpayers forked out $2.5m in external costs to fund the ABC’s defence after it was sued for unlawful termination by journalist Antoinette Lattouf.

Appearing at his first Senate estimates since coming into the role in June, Mr Marks said current external costs, like legal representation had amounted to $2.5m, however there could be further expenses related to the settling of final accounts and a potential cost hearing.

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The Local and Independent News Association (LINA) has welcomed an ABC proposal to expand its regional content sharing program, saying it would be a good use of public resource that need not conflict with commercial operators.

LINA executive director Claire Stuchbery told Mumbrella in a written response that she would welcome the expansion.

“There is no news network that covers all of Australia, so the more we can collaborate and then tailor relevant content to local audiences the better,” she said.

“With a shared objective of keeping communities informed, content sharing makes sense so long as it’s relevant to the community any given newsroom is serving.”

‘The more we collaborate, the better’: LINA welcomes ABC news sharing expansion

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Professor Wolfers’ Boyer lecture is now available on ABC Listen.

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The ABC is heading to trial after mediation failed in a Federal Court case brought by the MEAA, initially using Tom Scott, a Play School staffer as a test case over the ABC’s use of fixed-term contracts. Since then, the ABC has converted 150 staff to permanent contracts, including Scott.

It came after The Guardian Australia’s Amanda Meade reported last week that more than than 100 ABC workers who were on rolling casual contracts have been offered permanent employment.

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The ABC champions Ausmusic Month this November

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For more than 25 years, Ausmusic Month has been a cornerstone of the ABC’s celebration of Australian music, and this November is no exception.

Kicking off on Saturday, 1 November, the month-long celebration will launch with triple j, Double J and ABC Country playing nothing but Australian music, all day long.

Throughout November, the triple j network will continue to celebrate the best in Australian music with the J Awards and the triple j 50 tour, culminating in Ausmusic T-Shirt Day on Thursday, 27 November , a national initiative supporting local artists and the teams behind them via music industry charity, Support Act.

The momentum continues across the ABC , with an expanded slate of Australian music content: expect more live performances on ABC Classic , Australian-only programming every Monday on ABC Country , and dedicated Australian features on ABC Jazz, just to name a few.

Catch all the Ausmusic Month action via triple j or the ABC listen app .

Ausmusic Month content highlights include:

TRIPLE J, DOUBLE J, AND TRIPLE J UNEARTHED

J Awards

At the heart of Ausmusic Month on triple j are the J Awards, triple j’s annual recognition of the best Australian music. Tune in to triple j Breakfast from 6am on Monday, 3 November and connect with triple j socials to discover all the nominees across five award categories.

triple j 50 tour

triple j hits the road this November, wrapping up their 50th birthday celebrations with a five-stop national tour featuring a massive, genre-spanning lineup of Australian artists across venues in Hobart, Newcastle, Adelaide, the Gold Coast and Torquay. Keep across triple j on air and on socials for some very special live music moments captured at each show. Tickets are on sale now, head to the triple j website to purchase.

triple j’s Like A Version

triple j’s renowned cover series Like A Version features all Australian artists throughout November, kicking off with Queensland indie-rock band Beddy Rays next week. Listen every Friday from 7.45am on triple j or the triple j app and watch every performance on triple j’s socials.

To celebrate 50 years of triple j and Ausmusic Month 2025, triple j is also set to release a limited-edition vinyl, triple j’s Best Australian Like A Versions, out Friday, 21 November. This 13-track LP features some of the most loved Australian Like A Version recordings of all time, including covers from DMA’S, G Flip, King Stingray, Royel Otis, The Wiggles and many more. Pre-order here.

Live At The Wireless

triple j and Double J have recorded live performances from iconic homegrown artists all around the country to bring live music direct to your speakers, from festivals to stadiums, to sweaty pubs to some of Australia’s finest venues.

It’s back-to-back Aussies every Sunday on triple j with sets from OneFour, Holy Holy, and more. Double J is dipping into the archives with recordings from Ngaiire and Regurgitator, as well as highlights from triple j’s 2015 ‘Beat The Drum’ concert and a brand-new live recording from The Cat Empire.

Listen Sundays at 6pm on triple j, Mondays at 6pm on Double J, or on the triple j or ABC listen app.

Classic Albums

Double J will celebrate Classic Albums from Aussie icons Magic Dirt, The Presets, Wolfmother, Emma Donovan and Bernard Fanning. Listen Monday nights from 6pm or Sunday at midday.

Artist in Residence

Double J has a new Artist in Residence for the month of November: celebrated Ngarrindjeri MC, songwriter, and producer Trials. Listen Sundays from 5pm on Double J or anytime on the ABC listen app.

triple j Unearthed

As always, triple j Unearthed will continue to support Australian music by playing the best new Australian songs 24/7 across Unearthed Radio. Listen on DAB+, via the triple j app, or stream online, and connect with triple j Unearthed across Instagram and TikTok.

ABC COUNTRY

ABC Country is Australia’s home of country music, supporting emerging and established Australian country artists all month with Australian feature albums, Australian music all day every Monday, and Beccy Cole kicks off Ausmusic Month with an all Aussie edition of Saturday Night Country on November 1. Listen on DAB+ digital radio and on the ABC listen app.

ABC CLASSIC

ABC Classic is set to celebrate Australian music throughout November with a rich program of homegrown content.

On Mornings with Russell Torrance (weekdays 9am–1pm), listeners can enjoy recordings from state orchestras and Australian ensembles, alongside exclusive 2026 season highlights from ABC Classic presenters. Each week spotlights a different state or territory, celebrating the depth of music-making around the country.

The celebration continues with a full slate of Australian performances in Lunchtime Concert and Evenings throughout the month, featuring standout local performances including Treaty by Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, conducted by Jamie Martin with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellows recorded exclusively by the ABC with seven Australian works under the baton of Richard Mills. That’s twelve concerts a week. Listen every day at 1pm or weekdays at 8pm via the ABC listen app and visit the ABC Classic website for complete programming details.

Genevieve Lang and Ed Le Brocq will also host a special live recording of ABC Classic’s Music Class with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday 12 November at ABC Brisbane. Featuring behind-the-scenes insights and interactive music demonstrations, the event will be recorded in front of a live audience and broadcast nationally at midday Saturday 22 November on ABC Classic.

ABC JAZZ

New albums showcased during Ausmusic Month include Best of ABC Jazz ‘25, For Judy – a tribute to the late Judy Bailey by Lauren Tsamouras and Tom Avgenicos – and Time Passes by David Jones, Ben Roberston and Tony Gould. Saxophonist Martha Baartz is your Artist In Residence throughout November, sharing her favourite music and performing a new suite, inspired by her recent cancer diagnosis. Presenter Eric Ajaye also explores Judy Bailey’s legacy in Jazz Legends, celebrating her profound impact as a performer, composer and mentor to generations of Australian musicians.

Listen to ABC Jazz on DAB+ or anytime on the ABC listen app.

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ABC Gives campaign is on again, in which the broadcaster raises money for charity ahead of Christmas. The 2025 beneficiary is OzHarvest, except in Tasmania where the Giving Tree Appeal will be held instead.

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Mediaweek

The ABC’s 2025 annual report logged slippage across key performance measures, with community satisfaction easing from 81% to 79% and national weekly reach dipping from 61.9% to 60.4%.

Radio and digital also softened: Local Radio’s weekly reach dropped 8.4%, and the ABC News app recorded audience declines.

Editorial standards came under further pressure, with corrections and clarifications rising to 67 in 2024–25, up from 62 the year prior.

While total complaints were down, the average response time lengthened from 11 days to 16 – a datapoint unlikely to ease scrutiny from Parliament or the public.

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ABC hunts for new marketing chief

The ABC has begun the search for a new marketing leader, just months after appointing former Droga5 chief strategist Milla McPhee as its director of audiences.

The national broadcaster is recruiting a head of marketing who will report to McPhee and lead the development of a refreshed marketing strategy across the organisation.

The position has been held by Rebecca Robertson in a contractual capacity since August 2024, following Karen Madden’s temporary move to lead the audiences division.