THE axing of local radio news bulletins from ABC Goulburn Murray is an "absolute folly", according to the member for Indi.
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Cathy McGowan said it was "extremely disappointing" the station was dropping its 8.30am, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 5.30pm weekday bulletins.
"It makes no sense at all, I can't see where the savings are," Ms McGowan said.
"I'm befuddled about why they would make that change.
"To get rid of the news in the middle of the day and the evening seems to me to be absolute folly.
"I hope they recognise they've made a mistake and change it very quickly."
Ms McGowan said she would express her concerns in writing to the Communications Minister Mitch Fifield and ABC chairman James Spigelman.
The ABC announced the changes, which will also see its morning show replaced with an extended breakfast program and a new Local Life show, on Thursday.
The only full ABC Goulburn Murray news bulletins to remain will be at 6.30am and 7.30am weekdays, with headlines at other times.
"They say they're going to do headlines, but what we're not getting is the detail – who said what and why and what it means for us – and the ABC does that superbly well," Ms McGowan said.
The ABC has defended the changes, saying they will allow staff to be more active outside the studios and will not alter overall airtime for Border content.
The member for Farrer, Sussan Ley, offered a cautious response to the moves.
“The proof will be how the ABC rolls this out over the long term, but at first glance I think the move to get reporters and staff out in the community is a good idea," Ms Ley said.
"While that makes sense, the move to cut back local news bulletins is curious, particularly when commercial media counterparts are finding it increasingly difficult to properly staff or even include local news in their operating budgets."
The government MP said while happy for feedback on the decision, she urged unhappy listeners to communicate their disappointment to ABC Goulburn Murray.
