Kay Patterson Victoria, Liberal Party
2:05 pm
My question is to the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Will the minister inform the Senate how Australian consumers will benefit from the Australian government’s media reform package? Is the minister aware of any alternative policies?
Helen Coonan NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
I thank Senator Patterson for the question and for her ongoing interest in delivering services for Australian consumers. Following the release of the government’s media reform package the question that at least senators on this side of the chamber would be most interested in is: what is in the package for consumers? Much of the coverage by media organisations has, unsurprisingly, focused on whether the package is a commercial win for one player or the other. I make no apologies, and this government makes no apologies, for the fact that consumers are the endgame in this process, and I believe that they will be the biggest winners. The package will begin delivering benefits to consumers as early as next year and will continue to improve the availability of media content as we move into the digital age.
By next year, a range of new services may be available over the two vacant allocations of digital spectrum. These services could include free-to-air, in-home, digital-only channels or even perhaps snack television—small segments of TV content delivered over a mobile device, much like a mobile phone. Both national broadcasters will be able to show a range of new and exciting content on their digital multichannels as soon as legislation is passed. Commercial broadcasters will be permitted to broadcast additional content to their main channel on a high-definition, digital multichannel by next year and by 2009 will be able to add to that with a standard definition multichannel. With these new services we aim to make the digital experience in Australia more attractive for consumers to contribute to the mosaic of matters necessary to drive digital take-up of television in Australia.
Transitioning to digital is what the driving need to reform the increasingly outdated media rules in Australia is all about—rules that constrain media companies from investing in new technologies or, indeed, diversifying into new areas. What is being proposed is an integrated and far-reaching package to transition the current media settings to the new digital environment by encouraging both new players and new services for Australian consumers. The package will deliver this increased flexibility within a framework which protects both diversity and local content.
I was asked whether or not I am aware of any alternative policies. I am certainly aware that the Labor Party has absolutely no credibility—
George Campbell NSW, Australian Labor Party
Have you got an alternative?
Helen Coonan NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
in criticising the government in relation to the introduction of digital broadcasting in Australia. Labor, of course, did absolutely nothing while in government to prepare for the introduction of digital broadcasting.
George Campbell NSW, Australian Labor Party
What about your broadband strategy? What are you going to do about Telstra?
Helen Coonan NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
It still has no policies to speak of in this area, other than opposing government policy for the sake of it and clinging to outdated models for the industry which will ultimately damage the industry and provide absolutely nothing for consumers. It is time that Labor really got serious about this and started to put some effort—
Nick Sherry Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Banking and Financial Services
We’re talking about Labor policy and we’re cheering it.
Helen Coonan NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
and some backbone into delivering policies—
George Campbell NSW, Australian Labor Party
You should be called the ex communications minister.
Helen Coonan NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
that will actually deliver services for the Australian people. We will continue to deliver policies that will enable—
Kay Patterson Victoria, Liberal Party
Mr President, I rise on a point of order. I asked Senator Coonan a question. I am very interested in the answer, but I cannot hear it because of the noise from the other side. I ask that you would ask the other side to desist from making interjections.
Paul Calvert President
There have been consistent interjections from those on my left. I would ask you to cease making those interjections. I call Senator Coonan.
Helen Coonan NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
I was concluding by saying that we will continue to deliver policies that will enable industry to deliver for consumers into the future.