On this morning's ABC News Breakfast, Stephen Conroy cast doubt on the validity of the ABC cuts of arts programs, New Invetors, and in house production, suggsting they are a ploy in the face of new trienneal funding talks.

This would sugget the decision to pass on Torchwood would have been a political one.

The cuts email:

Dear All,

ABC TV today announced a number of changes to its production slate and production resources. These are a result of falling audiences for some programs, increasing financial pressures on ABC TV and a strategic commitment to focus its limited financial resources on prime-time programming.

The Sydney-based production New Inventors will not be renewed after it completes its run on August 17 with its Grand Final.

The Melbourne-based Sunday afternoon production Art Nation will also not be renewed after it completes its run later this year. The final episode of Art Nation will air 27th November, 2011.

It should be noted that the online portal, Arts Gateway, will continue as will the Sunday afternoon block of acquired arts programs from Australia and around the world. ABC TV will maintain its strong commitment to arts programming with a focus on prime time.  The Tuesday evening Artscape slot, the First Tuesday Bookclub, At The Movies, ABC2 Live arts performances plus a number of one-off arts documentaries, series and events will continue on ABC TV in 2012.

Late last year ABC TV established two new factual entertainment initiatives one with Screen West and one with the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC). This has resulted in the development of two new factual series of 6 x 30min with ScreenWest and two new factual series of 6 x 30min with SAFC, both series will air on ABC1 in 2012.

As a result of these changes production requirements are less. Therefore ABC TV proposes to reduce the levels of staff in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory Production Pools resulting in proposed staff redundancies.

The ABC is committed to consulting with affected employees and their representatives regarding the change and its likely effect on employees. Briefings and individual meetings have been conducted with directly affected staff today.

In Tasmania, Collectors will be rested and a new show, “Auctions”,  has been commissioned for on-air 2012 produced by the team that has been making Collectors. The current run of Collectors will finish on September 23.

ABC TV management recognises that this can be a very difficult time for some staff and will ensure all the appropriate support is offered.

However in the face of an increasingly competitive broadcasting environment and increasing financial pressures, ABC TV must ensure it uses its Government funding as efficiently and effectively as possible to deliver maximum value to its audiences and the Australian taxpayer.

Regards,

Kim Dalton