The privatisation of public assets is about as popular as new taxes or speed cameras. And the national broadcaster, the ABC, is one of our most loved public institutions. So, with a federal election in just four months, why is the Liberal Party debating the privatisation of the ABC and SBS at this weekend's Victorian State Council meeting?

The Liberal Party-linked think-tank, the Institute of Public Affairs, has fired up its PR machine and come out strongly supporting the proposal, ensuring a lively conference debate. But this is a case of dumb policy, dumb strategy and dumb politics.

Will the ABC be privatised? Credit:Viki Yemettas

The publicly owned, independent ABC provides a vital national service - privatisation would put that service at grave risk. Nowhere is this more the case than in regional communities. In many remote areas, the ABC is the only source of local news and information.

Commercial media are abandoning regional areas. The advertising monopolies that used to sustain regional media are falling apart and broadcasting companies are now networking their news services. Commercial broadcaster WIN Television recently closed its local news service in the Riverland area of south-east South Australia. The commercial reality is that there are not enough viewers to support a dedicated local news service in the area.