Stirling Griff (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move Nick Xenophon Team amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 7933 together:

(1) Schedule 1, item 3, page 3 (line 11) omit "75%", substitute "0%".

(2) Schedule 1, item 4, page 3 (line 14) omit "75%", substitute "0%".

I have already outlined in some detail the reason for these amendments. As my colleague Senator Xenophon mentioned, there is absolutely no justification for our free-to-air broadcasters to continue to be hit with licence fees, especially when digital platforms are raking in billions of dollars and paying a pittance by way of Australian taxes. This issue has been ongoing for too long and it is well and truly time that the government bit the bullet and showed some genuine leadership and genuine support for our local TV networks and production industry.