Thousands of ABC staff walk off the job in 20-year first as BBC replaces shows
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
Thousands of ABC staff have walked off the job for the first time in 20 years today as the national broadcaster's shows were replaced by the BBC.
Journalists and staff began participating in a 24-hour protected strike for greater pay and job security at 11am.
At the hour, the ABC began streaming content from the UK-based broadcaster BBC.
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The ABC's flagship current affairs program, 7.30, is widely expected to also be off the air tonight and replaced by reruns or content from other broadcasters.
The changes come after about 60 per cent of ABC staff rejected the broadcaster's latest pay offer of a 10 per cent rise over three years and a $1000 sign-on bonus.
The ABC employs about 4500, with 1000 of those participating in the vote for industrial action.
MEAA chief executive Erin Madeley earlier this week called on the ABC to put forward an offer that reflects the "value of ABC staff and protects the future of Australia's public broadcaster".
"Experienced journalists and media workers are being asked to do more with less – with fewer opportunities for pay progression, less certainty about their future, and growing workloads," she said.
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"This isn't just a workforce issue. When skilled, experienced staff are forced out, communities lose trusted local voices, particularly in regional Australia where the ABC is often the only local newsroom."
ABC managing director Hugh Marks said he believed the pay offer was "both sustainable and financially responsible".
"I understand that in the current climate higher pay would help many individuals, but we must also remain focused on the long-term sustainability of the ABC and its relevance to all Australians," he said.
"It is a balance. No one has provided any evidence to me to suggest ABC staff are paid less than industry standards."
The last time the ABC staff were on strike was over pay and employment conditions in 2006.
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