Local ABC staff in stunned silence
Local ABC staff were mostly stunned to silence yesterday, after the public broadcaster's cuts were revealed - including veteran Victorian sports presenter Drew Morphett being given the axe.
As the shockwaves of the $254 million cuts reverberated across Australia, Perth staff were privately distraught at the loss of local jobs and productions but were reluctant to speak because of the uncertain future.
One of the biggest shocks at the network was the likely loss of three sports voices - Morphett, Dan Lonergan and Peter Newlinds, as part of the paring back of the network's sports coverage.
The ABC's coverage of the WAFL will end, along with that of the W-League, WNBL and VFL and NTFL football matches. _The West Australian _ was told the trio of ABC Grandstand broadcasters were in "consultation" about their positions but would almost certainly leave.
Former ABC stalwart Glenn Mitchell expressed his shock at the departure of his former colleagues but was also wary to speak candidly given his wife Karen Tighe is the presenter of ABC Grandstand.
"It is a painful day for all my ex-colleagues, whether they be staying or going," Mitchell wrote.
"Difficult to see how ABC can continue to cover Olympic and Commonwealth Games given budget cut(s). Even some domestic radio rights may be an issue."
No WA sports reporting jobs will go, but five news journalists and producers are set to leave - a process described by 7.30 NSW presenter Quentin Dempster as "industrial execution".
Veteran newsreader Alan Knight read bulletins yesterday, his birthday, despite being told he would be leaving the network after more than 20 years.
Radio Mornings show host Geoff Hutchison attempted to lighten the mood on social media, but the feedback from other staff was mostly grim.
"ABC cuts hit hard. WA and SA asked to share tea and coffee-making facilities. 'Hello Adelaide, are you finished with the spoon'," he wrote.
Colin Barnett said he was upset to see 7.30 WA go, along with the rest of the State-based 7.30 productions.
"I understand ABC has to work within its budget but it would be a shame to see that occur at the expense of West Australian content and programming," the Premier said.
Local reporter Emma Wynne tweeted: "I still have a job. Many of my colleagues will be going. Will miss some really good friends in the office."
And Perth-based Radio National presenter Kirsti Melville said plenty of bad news was being delivered in WA, as well as across the country.
"Lots of closed doors around the joint today. Sad to know what's happening behind them," she wrote.
The axing of coverage of the WNBL and W-League was met with anger and disappointment from WA's most prominent women's sporting teams.
West Coast Waves coach Kennedy Kereama, who also leads New Zealand's national team, is on track to guide the WA club to its first WNBL finals series in 14 years this season.
He said the decision to pull WNBL broadcasts was a major blow for the eight national league clubs and women's basketball as a whole.
"It's an extremely disappointing outcome for everybody, especially for the fans of basketball in Australia and the promotion of women's sport long-term," Kereama said.
"It will have some severely damaging effects on teams and clubs.
"From our standpoint, the ability to be able to advertise and give exposure to sponsors is damaged."
Australia boasts one of the world's premier women's basketball teams, the Opals, who regularly reach finals of major tournaments.
"It's a sport in which Australia has been extremely successful over the past 50 years," Kereama said.
"Hopefully somebody else comes on board, but I think Basketball Australia are going to have a lot of work to do now to secure some form of sponsorship and broadcast deal."
Perth Glory women's coach Jamie Harnwell, whose team is on top of the W-League ladder and will host a semifinal next month, was confident women's soccer would continue to flourish despite the ABC decision.
"It's disappointing news but I don't think it was entirely unexpected," Harnwell said.
