Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Television Licence Fees Amendment Bill 2013 introduces amendments to the Television Licence Fees Act 1964 to provide a new annual licence fee scale for commercial television broadcasting licensees.

These amendments will reduce the annual licence fees payable by commercial television broadcasters by 50 per cent, to a maximum of 4.5 per cent of gross earnings.

This reform is an important part of the Australian government’s initial response to the Convergence Review and recognises the significant commercial pressures faced by Australia’s commercial television industry.

The reduction in licence fees provided for in this bill will enable commercial television broadcasters to continue to innovate and thrive in Australia’s rapidly changing media landscape.

I commend this bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.