Rowan Ramsey (Grey, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would particularly like to associate myself with the remarks of the member for Riverina, who likened this shutdown to the closure of the analog network of telephones. I am well aware that we do need to make changes; we do need to get on with the business of rolling out a modern digital network. My local television stations are quite keen to see this happen because of the added cost they have of broadcasting in both bands at the moment, but it is very important that we get the safety net right.

Like other members who have spoken from this side of the House who have highlighted various black spots in their electorates, I too have a number of residents who, for one reason or another, did not avail themselves of the previous black spot program. In particular, I draw your attention to the residents of western Yorke Peninsula, where they are largely in a broadcast shadow from metropolitan television stations. They find it very difficult to get reception under current conditions. The people around Wallaroo and Port Pirie already build large television aerials so they can receive the analog signal. They are very concerned that the new digital signal will not be as strong.

I also take the opportunity to draw the attention of the House to the situation which exists where I live. I live about 180 kilometres from Whyalla, where there is a broadcast service in analog, but my local news service comes from Rockhampton. I am always very interested to see what is going on in the member for Hinkler’s electorate, but as I am sometimes fortunate enough to be on the local news program that is broadcast throughout the rest of my electorate, I do not actually ever get to see myself when I am home. I know that may not be disappointing to you, Mr Speaker, but it is something that I find fairly galling. And one of the things that we do not fully understand is how the shutdown of the analog network is going to affect the digital signals of the satellite system that serves a lot of Australia. There are unanswered questions there at the moment. We need to know that the government is going to make the commitment in the next budget to iron out these problems and that we do not just get this cold-turkey shutdown with the government saying, ‘You’re on your own, boys and girls.’

See this speech in context