Going Digital: The People Formerly Known as the Audience
This is an edited extract of 'Going Digital: The Transformation of the ABC' by Margaret Simons, published by Black Inc Books and available from the 3rd of November in all good bookshops.
By Bill Browne
Tue 28 Oct 2025 10.46 AEDT
Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
The Albanese Government has come in for criticism today as a Centre for Public Integrity report card marks them as failing on six of seven transparency measures. When asked about it on ABC Breakfast, Special Minister of State Don Farrell pointed to the changes he and the Liberals negotiated earlier this year:
“At the next election, all donations that are going to be made to any political must be fully disclosed. Previously, the amount was $17,000. So, we have significantly dropped that money. More importantly, those donations have to be disclosed before the election. So, every single donation above $5,000 has to be disclosed before the next election.”
The improvements to donation disclosures are the one bright spot in the electoral changes, which otherwise make it much harder for independents and new parties to challenge the incumbents.
Meanwhile, the electoral law changes ensure the major parties will receive tens of millions of dollars more in taxpayer funding, and enjoy several loopholes to get around donation and spending caps. Rules for thee but not for me.
That’s why Senator Farrell, when asked in Senate Estimates, couldn’t identify a single integrity group in the country that supported the changes.
This is an edited extract of 'Going Digital: The Transformation of the ABC' by Margaret Simons, published by Black Inc Books and available from the 3rd of November in all good bookshops.
Once upon a time, it was assumed that progressive voters, even if they were gritting their teeth, would fall behind Labor to block the Coalition and One Nation from winning power.
