ABC won't be sold despite Liberal vote

The ABC will not be privatised despite rank-and-file Liberal members calling on the government to sell off the national broadcaster's city operations.

The Liberal federal council passed a motion with a two-to-one majority calling on the coalition to sell off the ABC, except for in regional areas.

But Communications Minister Mitch Fifield spoke against the motion and Treasurer Scott Morrison ruled out a sale.

"The government has no plans to privatise the ABC," Mr Morrison told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.

"I know some out there might think the Labor party already owns it, but certainly not the government and it's important that people understand that position."

Young Liberal Mitchell Collier led the charge for selling the ABC, although he said his favourite programs as a child included "Bananas in Pyjamas" on the network.

He suggested selling the ABC off to a media mogul or selling it to employees.

Senator Fifield said the government was looking at requiring the ABC to specifically look after the needs of rural and regional Australia.

But he voted against the motion. No one else spoke against it.

The government froze some of the ABC's funding in the May budget, which Labor has promised to reverse if it wins power.