ABC hits back at Nationals senator

The ABC has labelled a push by a Nationals senator for a greater focus on regional Australia as "illogical" and "flawed".

In its submission to a senate committee inquiring into Bridget McKenzie's private bill, the public broadcaster took a personal approach.

Her plan to amend the ABC's charter includes the broadcaster maintaining an "effective presence" in regional communities as well as setting up a rural and regional advisory council to advise the board.

"While the bill reflects the senator's deep commitment to regional Australia and acknowledges the pivotal role played by the corporation, overall it demonstrates a paucity of understanding of the ABC's operations, its governance structure, and the budget constraints," the broadcaster says.

"It relies on a narrow conception of localism, mandates inflexible programming outcomes and ignores the important role played by parts of the ABC outside the regional division."

The ABC argues it already delivers a high level of broadcast services in the regions and to change the charter would reduce its independence and drive up its costs.

The broadcaster criticises Senator McKenzie's speech to the upper house in December 2015, saying it makes "flawed assumptions" about the ABC's purpose.

It also had a none-too-subtle dig at her decision to live near a major city - while attacking her call for at least two ABC board directors to live in regional areas.

Senator McKenzie's register of interests states she lives in Elwood, Victoria - despite her electorate office being based in Bendigo.

"The ABC also disputes the notion that city-residing board members lack the ability to represent regional citizens in their respective states," the broadcaster says.

"This is as illogical as arguing that senators must reside outside capital cities if they are to properly represent regional constituents."

In a speech to parliament, Senator McKenzie said regional Australia was losing its ABC voice, accusing the broadcaster of not looking to project regional ideas, culture or journalism.

"Over the course of many years, we have witnessed a systemic de-resourcing of our regional services and our regional communities and the art of journalism itself is suffering as a result," she said.