Pastoralists have accused the ABC of fomenting a Trump-style rural revolt with a controversial decision to axe shortwave radio services, which are crucial to some bush residents, to help fund its growing buffet of digital offerings to listeners in cities and towns.

The move, which has attracted severe criticism from MPs on both sides of politics but which the broadcaster has declined to reconsider, highlights tension around managing director Michelle Guthries push to accelerate her organisations shift onto digital platforms.

All three Northern Territory shortwave transmitters are due to be switched off on January 31 following an announcement made unexpectedly late last year, which will bring to an end almost a century of ABC shortwave radio broadcasts.

While estimates suggest that only a few hundred to a few thousand people still listen to ABC programs over shortwave, some of them say they rely on it for all practical purposes for virtually their only access to news and current affairs.

James Christian, 32, lived around the corner from Malcolm Turnbull in the posh Sydney suburb of Point Piper before he traded harbour views for life in the desert, taking a job on his uncles cattle property where he is now also trying to make a go of his own pastoral business.

Napperby Station, about 230km by road northwest of Alice Springs, has no mobile coverage, only one painfully congested satellite NBN connection shared among about eight people, and lies beyond the reach of all metropolitan radio frequencies.

I like to think Ive got quite a good grasp of whats going on in Australia, but its only because I listen to things like the ABCs AM and World Today programs on shortwave, Mr Christian said.

Out here, we basically wouldnt know about things like (former health minister) Sussan Leys resignation over that travel expenses fiasco if we hadnt heard about it on the radio.

Like many rural folks, he spends his daylight hours outdoors and only has perhaps an hour to spare between eating dinner and going to bed, during which it is not necessarily convenient to watch television. He listens to the radio in his truck and even rigged up an esky with speakers and a shortwave receiver powered by a car battery to use while camping or during smoko.

The ABC expects the end of shortwave transmission to release $1.9 million to be reinvested in digital radio in Darwin and Hobart and has argued those negatively affected can switch to satellite services. But satellite radio requires a set-top box, and a dish about half a metre across that must be stationary to tune in. Satellite connections also break easily in bad weather.

Its frustrating and annoying to think that the ABC is turning off shortwave transmission only to turn on some new digital service for cities, Mr Christian continued. Were foregoing the only service we can get while theyre getting more services that they probably wont use.

The ABCs website says it consulted with relevant broadcast partners before deciding to get out of shortwave radio altogether. No evidence has yet emerged that anyone spoke directly to those listeners who are likely to be the most severely affected.

Staff on some of the remoter stations regularly spend hours doing bore runs that traverse hundreds of kilometres or spend weeks at a time living in stock camps or doing fencing. Locals are still smarting from the Bureau of Meteorologys decision to shut down its Tennant Creek weather radar, which they say made it harder to anticipate road closures and know whether communities or animals risked being cut off.

Chief executive of the NT Cattlemens Association, Tracey Hayes, who visited the US over Christmas, blamed centralised decision-making for leaving people feeling disenfranchised.

When I heard the commentary in the US, it just resonated with me, Ms Hayes said.

I thought, if were not careful then this is whats going to happen in Australia. The One Nation Party is gaining strength in the bush because people feel theyre not being listened to.

A spokesman for the ABC described shortwave radio as an increasingly unreliable technology not viable over the long-term.

Since the announcement to discontinue shortwave services was made the ABC has received a very small number of complaints less than 20 from those located within the affected area an indication of the number of listeners affected, the spokesman said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, and Minister for Communications, Mitch Fifield, have expressed concern about the ABCs decision. NT Labor senator Malarndirri McCarthy and lower house MP for the vast Territory seat of Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, are vocal critics. Senator McCarthy and opposition legal affairs spokesman Mark Dreyfus met Ms Guthrie last week to ask her to reconsider, but emerged unsatisfied.

Mr Dreyfus and Opposition regional services spokesman Stephen Jones wrote to Senator Fifield on Friday to warn him that the ABC might be justifying its decision on a misguided basis and to seek Senator Fifields help to ensure shortwave services continue. Labor believes that ending shortwave radio transmission will deprive people in remote areas (of) access to a vital communications service for which there is no alternative, a copy of the letter obtained by The Australian states.

Senator McCarthy called the issue a test of Senator Scullions leadership said he should bring it before cabinet. Senator Scullion has branded the decision to axe shortwave services Sydney-centric and attacked the ABC for competing for morning shows.

They are not in commercial competition, that is not within their charter. They are supposed to provide a service where there are no others, which is shortwave, Senator Scullion told ABC Alice Springs last week.

According to a source familiar with the ABCs operations, shortwave radio services are provided by three high-powered transmitters located respectively in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. The source said those transmitters, made by an eastern European company called Riz, had been costly and troublesome ever since they were installed in about 2005.

The Australian understands those transmitters are operated through a partnership with Broadcast Australia and that the ABC would have to strike another long-term deal for shortwave transmissions to be able to continue beyond January 31.

The ABCs spokesman said contractual arrangements were confidential. There have been claims that indigenous communities, ranger groups, truck drivers, grey nomads and fishers could all be adversely affected. The Australian understands neither of the major NT Aboriginal land councils expects its members to be severely disadvantaged.
Mark Crocombe with Thamarrurr Rangers in Wadeye on the Territorys northwest coast said his group would miss listening to ABC programs via shortwave radio while out in the field, and raised concern about access to emergency information.

Louise Bilato, executive officer with the NT Road Transport Association, said satellite services were inadequately tested on vehicles and could prove too expensive to install. This would appear to be a decision made in haste, without sufficient consultation, Ms Bilato said.

Is this yet another example of double standards with those who live and work in remote Australia simply being expected to put up and shut up? The ABC should be proud to deliver services to the bush where theyve probably got a greater listenership audience per capita than they do in the city. Spokespeople for the Territorys peak amateur and professional fishermens groups were unavailable for comment.

The ABCs spokesman said there were no ABC shortwave services in QLD, SA, WA or NSW and nor has there been an expressed need for this.

The ABCs decision is in line with recent decisions by other broadcasting bodies, the spokesman continued.

The BBC World Service, the US government-funded Voice of America and the Vatican have all ceased shortwave transmission due to the ongoing expense, as well as the inaccessibility for the majority of audiences.

The Australian, 23 January 2017