Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman has condemned the federal government for putting the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury at risk with budget cuts to the ABC.
But her fears have been rejected by federal Communications Minister Paul Fletcher.
"We've learned the ABC is planning a further 200 sackings thanks to Scott Morrison's latest budget cuts," said Ms Templeman.
She said the recent news of staff cuts was bad for local residents who rely on the ABC for emergency broadcasting.
"As one Colo Heights resident pointed out at a fire preparation meeting a couple of weeks ago, he has found himself with no power, therefore no mobile phone, and no way to get emergency information other than listening to the ABC on a battery-operated radio.
"That's the situation many people across the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains could find themselves in at some point during this summer."
But federal Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said the ABC Board and management is responsible for content and programming decisions.
"On 12 December 2019, the ABC released its content plan for the next three years. In this plan, I'm pleased to see the ABC has committed to continue to work with emergency agencies to deliver warnings, alerts and information about disasters and emergencies on TV, radio, online and on mobile."
