Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I bring to the attention of the House the very important issue of community television in Australia, which is under threat of being booted off the air on 30 June this year unless the minister decides against pulling the plug. At a time when Australia has one of the most concentrated media markets in the world, community TV provides diversity. At a time when newsrooms are closing, community TV supports local news and is a training ground for budding journalists, presenters and screen producers in partnership with universities. At a time when social cohesion and creative industries should be promoted, community TV provides a platform for local, multicultural, sporting and arts events. Yet the government wants to push community TV off air to an online-only model of delivery. But neither the broadcasters nor the audiences nor their sponsors are ready to make the move.

Community TV broadcasters are not asking for government funding. They need time and they need access to the broadcast spectrum they now occupy, for which there is currently no alternative use. The radiofrequency spectrum is a valuable public resource. It should not go unused when Channel 31 Melbourne and Channel 44 Adelaide could make such good use of it. I call on the minister to extend the broadcast licences for Channel 31 Melbourne and Channel 44 Adelaide so they can remain on air and continue doing the great job they do servicing their communities.