To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives assembled in parliament:

The petition of certain residents of the State of Queensland, specifically parents, staff and students of schools on the Gold Coast, draws to the attention of the House their concern with the proposed cancellation of the ABC television program, “Behind the News” due to budget cuts.

We acknowledge the media release of the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts of August 5 2003, which states that the ABC has the freedom to make the cuts where its Board sees fit. We believe strongly that this program has been an integral part of the development of young Australians with a strong knowledge of world issues for over 34 years.

Your petitioners therefore pray that the House enters discussions with the Minister and encourages him to negotiate with the ABC to rethink its planned cancellation of this icon of Australian education.