Controversy Surrounds ABC's New Year's Eve Coverage

The ABC's New Year's Eve broadcast coverage of Sydney's 9 pm fireworks has been criticized for being excessively political and controversial. The show featured performances by Indigenous rap group 3% and Melbourne singer Angie McMahon, both of which included overtly political and divisive content. The backlash has led to calls for the ABC to be defunded and replaced as the host of the annual event, while viewers expressed frustration over the politicization of an event expected to be family-friendly. There were calls for the program to be more about celebration and less about politics, with some viewers expressing disappointment and frustration with the direction of the broadcast.