Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Hansard source

The 2016 budget saw a concerning drop in financial support for community radio. The services provided by community radio bring diversity to the broadcasting sector and deliver services that are not delivered by commercial stations, particularly in regional areas of the country. In my electorate I have several community radio stations, and they provide an urgent and important service.

It is my understanding that in the 2016 budget we saw a decrease in funding for community radio broadcasters from $3.7 million per annum to $2.3 million per annum. This will mean that community broadcasters cannot proceed with the rollout of digital radio, even though commercial stations are committed to moving in this direction. Can the minister please advise what evidence was used to support this decision to cut such funding? I ask that question in the light of the fact that a reduction in the forward estimates for commercial broadcasters is around $163 million, so it would appear to me that, while lending a hand to commercial networks, this government has, by cutting the funding of community radio, hurt community broadcasters and hurt communities.

Given the projects that they wish to complete in the near future, community radio is seeking a commitment of $2.2 million per annum over the forward estimates. However, it is also my understanding that the Community Broadcasting Association wrote to Minister Fifield seeking such extra funding and received a reply indicating that the government would deny that. Can the minister advise on the evidence used to make this decision, given the impact of the lack of digital resources and the effect that would have on community radio?

With respect to a community radio station in my electorate—Adelaide Hills FM, 88.9—I recently wrote to Minister Fifield in relation to a permanent broadcasting licence for the station. My letter remains unanswered, so I am using this opportunity to talk about this. The radio station is the only one based in the Adelaide Hills. It provides crucial support to the community, including broadcasting of local sporting fixtures and, most critically, it provides advice in relation to weather and bushfires—and we are a high-risk bushfire area. My understanding is that in order to gain a permanent licence, which it is very keen to do, Adelaide Hills FM must be invited by the Australian Communications and Media Authority to apply for one. Could the minister provide me with an update in relation to the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Has he spoken to it to invite Adelaide Hills Radio to apply for a permanent licence. If not, could I ask the minister to give an undertaking to do so.

In my remaining time I would like to talk about mobile phone coverage in my electorate. I was very pleased with the government's election promise for my community to receive mobile phone coverage for blackspots in Ashbourne and Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island. I would like to ask the minister: when will the government be inviting mobile phone network operators to bid for funding to provide coverage to Ashbourne and on Kangaroo Island? When does the government expect these locations will have full mobile phone coverage? Thank you.

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