Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says he wants answers from ABC managing director Mark Scott over the national broadcaster's decision to axe television programs The New Inventors and Art Nation.

The cuts mean less in-house production by the ABC, the outsourcing of programs to independent production companies, and redundancies for a number of ABC staff in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

ABC television director Kim Dalton, in a memo to staff, blamed falling audiences for some programs and "increasing financial pressures".

But Senator Conroy challenged the claim of financial pressure, saying he was "surprised" by it.

"I would say they haven't had any cuts in funds; these are programs that have been going a long time," he told ABC News Breakfast.

"I will be seeking information from Mark Scott and the management of the ABC around their statements that financial issues led to the closing of these programs."

Asked if he thought the ABC statements were disingenuous, Senator Conroy said: "Well, as I said, there has been no cut in funding to the ABC that I'm aware of.

"They had a three-year funding package put in place. It's coming up for a new round of funding into next year but as far as I'm aware there's been absolutely no cuts in funding at all from the government to the ABC."

It is understood 15 staff from Art Nation, presented by Fenella Kernebone, will be made redundant in Melbourne, as well as 13 in Adelaide and Perth.

The Artscape program will be outsourced.

Senator Conroy said under the ABC charter "there are many different ways for programs to be delivered".

"There's been complaints in the past that some programs have been reduced whereas other parts of the ABC, perhaps online, podcasts have increased the amount of coverage in some areas.

"Many times in the past, programs have been phased out and newer offerings on newer platforms have been phased in - so has the charter commitment been met? There's always a lively debate about that."

Staff have voted in meetings of the Community and Public Sector Union to mount a public campaign against outsourcing ABC programs.

The ABC's director of communications, Michael Millett, indicated management will be happy to address Senator Conroy's concerns.

"We're happy to meet with the minister and we do so regularly," he said.