What will it take for someone in the federal government to hold the ABC to account? What will it take for the federal opposition to demand a royal commission into the behaviour of a taxpayer-funded agency which for decades has shown the finger to the public, its boards and government ministers, and which pays lip service only to its Act, Charter and editorial policies?

How many millions of dollars in defamation and legal costs will have to be paid, how minuscule will its audiences have to become, before the taxpayers’ representatives decide that enough is enough?

It’s time to face the reality...