ABC viewers and listeners in the North East will be canvassed for feedback on a revamp aimed at bolstering the broadcaster's commitment to country areas.
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The member for Indi, Cathy McGowan, said she would be compiling views for a submission to a Senate inquiry into the institution.
The inquiry is the result of Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie introducing her Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Rural and Regional Advocacy) Bill 2015 which was prompted by concerns the ABC was neglecting the bush.
It follows the broadcaster's management announcing radio stations, such as ABC Goulburn Murray, would be cutting local news bulletins and the shutting of studios in regional areas.
The Senate inquiry will involve submissions and hearings on the bill before it is debated in the Upper House.
Key arms of the bill include the formation of a Rural and Regional Advisory Council, two seats on the ABC board being reserved for country residents and a listing of employees' base in the broadcaster's annual report.
It would also be mandated that ABC broadcasts reflect geographic diversity, five radio broadcasts of regional news are aired from 5am to 8pm and rosters are effectively meet emergency situations so that production ensures community safety.
Senator McKenzie said she believed extra funding was not required to meet her goals, but a better distribution of the existing budget.
She cited the pay gap between ABC Melbourne radio announcer Jon Faine and his Goulburn Murray counterpart Joseph Thomsen.
"If we had adequate staff levels rather than pay city celebrities what we pay them we would have a better provision of high quality ABC services in the regions," Senator McKenzie said.
She said the ABC appeared to be too willing to compete with commercial broadcasters, saying there were "skewed priorities".
Ms McGowan welcomed the Senate inquiry, although she was unwilling to comment on some specific aspects of the bill for fear of pre-empting feedback.
She said she would by lobbying for a hearing to be held in Indi and putting a submission based on constituents’ stances.
"The major area people want improvement is in the technical ability to receive it, particularly going into the valleys and the south of the electorate," Ms McGowan said.
"They can't get Radio National, the signal drifts, that's what most people talk about, but there is huge respect and reliance on it and people want me to go into bat for it."
Ms McGowan said she didn't have an opinion about the number of staff in the regions, but had a "strong opinion about how skilled and valued staff are remunerated".
Senator McKenzie said he was expected the inquiry would report to the Senate in mid-June.
"I think they're common sense amendments that reflect the majority of Australians’ expectations when it comes to a public broadcaster," she said.
"So I'm confident the majority of senators will support it when it comes to the Senate."
