The ABC has officially marked the opening of its new studios in the western Sydney suburb of Parramatta, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese conducting the first live, on-set TV interview from the new newsroom.
ABC Chair Kim Williams hosted the event, which was also attended by NSW Premier Chris Minns, Federal Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland, and ABC Managing Director David Anderson.
Mr Albanese was given a tour of the new promenade level, which includes a 220-square metre video studio featuring 100 square metres of LED screens, equipped with augmented reality capabilities, along with live radio and audio studios.
ABC Radio Sydney has been broadcasting from ABC Parramatta since May last year, the NSW 7PM News moved there in December, and ABC NEWS Channel commenced transmissions from the new Studio 91 on Monday. Other ABC teams also utilise the facility.
Speaking to ABC NEWS Channel, the Prime Minister highlighted the significance of media organisations establishing a presence in Greater Western Sydney.
“This is Sydney’s heartland here. And what we’re seeing is that Sydney is now looking out rather than just in,” he said. “And that’s really important for this great global city.”
Mr Albanese also reiterated the importance of the public broadcaster.
“The public broadcaster is so important. It’s a trusted news source,” he said. “Throughout its various platforms, whether it be TV, radio, or online, the ABC is an important part of Australia’s democracy.”
ABC Chair Kim Williams emphasised that the move would enhance the ABC’s engagement with audiences in Western Sydney.
“Today, Greater Western Sydney is home to one in every ten Australians. And GWS residents come from more than 170 countries, speaking over 100 different languages. The majority of new immigrants that come to Australia settle in Greater Western Sydney,” he said.
“So it is entirely fitting that Australia’s ABC is now prominently, substantially, indeed visibly located here, in the heart of Parramatta.
“This state-of-the-art studio will be the template for all the ABC’s future production facilities.”
ABC Parramatta has been funded entirely by the sale of the former ABC property in Artarmon and leasing out space in its Ultimo headquarters.
Also in attendance at the launch were Senator Maria Kovacic, representing Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton; NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey; Member for Parramatta Andrew Charlton; Member for Granville Julia Finn; Member for Mitchell Alex Hawke; City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter; Cumberland City Council Mayor Ola Hamed; Western Sydney University Vice Chancellor Professor George Williams; Committee for Sydney Chief Executive Eamon Waterford; Executive Director of Business Western Sydney David Borger; and leaders from sports, arts, and community organisations.
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