ABC (Australia)

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia's national broadcaster, funded by the Australian Federal Government but specifically independent of Government and politics in the Commonwealth. The ABC plays a leading role in journalistic independence and is fundamental in the history of broadcasting in Australia. It is modelled on – though not exclusively – the BBC in the United Kingdom. While originally financed by a similar method to the British model using consumer licence fees on broadcasting receivers, its funding has evolved to the current model approved by the Australian Parliament which does not involve direct fees on consumers, but is primarily a mix of direct grants from the government and commercial activities related to its core broadcasting mission. In recent times, the Corporation provides television, radio, online and mobile services throughout metropolitan and regional Australia, as well as overseas through Australia Plus and Radio Australia.