Writing in the Australian (22 April 2005) Amanda Meade reports that the federal government has given the ABC $150,000 in direct funding for the live broadcast of the dawn service for the 90th anniversary of Gallipoli.  She noted that this may not be cash for comment, but that it is arguably cash for coverage.

The ABC is supposed to make program decisions independent of either government or commercial influence.  But when budget are as tight as they are at the ABC, an extra $150,000 can be seen as an offer the organisation can not refuse.

Commenting on the report the President of Friends of the ABC, Western Australia, Roger Raven, said that the offer was an “ effort to co-opt an important national event to augment the aura of the Howard Government. “