Nats leader calls for ABC culture change

Nationals leader Warren Truss has called for a culture change at the ABC, insisting the public broadcaster should be obliged to provide television news in regional communities.

Mr Truss says it's "odd" the ABC isn't obliged to do so, given it is charged with delivering services across the country.

"It is my great fear that the divide between country and city, instead of narrowing, is actually growing," the acting prime minister told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

The federal government plans to introduce new media ownership laws to parliament in the first part of the year with a particular focus on the so-called "reach rule" which prevents commercial broadcasters from reaching more than 75 per cent of the population.

Mr Truss says he doesn't care who owns regional stations, as long as there was a commitment to deliver local services.

"If there is to be any changes to the legislation, that will be the kind of objective we will be looking to secure.

"It does seem odd to me that the ABC, which is charged with delivering services to the whole of the country, is not obliged to provide television news services in regional communities."

Mr Truss is not in favour of splitting the ABC but wants a change in culture to make it less "Sydney-centric".