Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise in support of the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Community Radio) Bill 2022. It's been said that community broadcasting is a thing of the past—that commercial radio, podcasting and music streaming services have filled the gap. Don't get me wrong; I don't mind listening to Sam and Ash on Hot 91.1 or Todd and Sami on 92.7 MIX FM. In fact, I love Todd and Sami. All those four guys are fantastic, and they do a great job for our local community. I use all sorts of streaming platforms, like ABC NewsRadio. I wish NewsRadio would fix their platform, though, because sometimes it's a little bit dodgy. I need to be careful, on this side of the House, about owning up to the fact that I use the ABC streaming service, but it's true—I do.

I'm here to say that community broadcasting on the Sunshine Coast isn't just carrying on; it is absolutely thriving. The main community radio station on the Sunshine Coast—I know you'll never guess the name correctly, Mr Deputy Speaker—is Sunshine FM. This is a terrific radio station. Many on the Sunshine Coast don't know this, but it is in fact the No. 1 radio station on the Sunshine Coast by listenership. It's not a commercial broadcaster, not the ABC, not triple J or Double J or anything like that; it's a community broadcaster.

Sunshine FM takes about 35 per cent of the radio audience on the Sunshine Coast, despite a narrow target market of what they describe as 'more mature folks'—perhaps like you and me, Mr Deputy Speaker Goodenough! They're reaching 40 per cent of listeners over 40 and 52 per cent of listeners over 65. They attract 10 per cent more than the best-performing commercial broadcaster and almost 300 per cent more than ABC Sunshine Coast. That number has only grown, despite the resourcing, personnel and broadcast consumption challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sunshine FM is the only community broadcaster reaching numbers into six digits across the region.

I give a big shout-out to Chris Wordsworth, who is one of the executives there; Lynda Prout, who is on in the mornings; and Trevor Young. Lynda Prout—has she got a voice for radio. When I speak to her—and it is regularly—I often comment that she has got the best voice for radio. I always like to pump up her tyres a little bit. I pay tribute to them for their hard work, tenacity and passion for the Sunshine Coast. They play great music as well.

When you add the other community broadcasters to the mix—and we have a lot of Christian community radio stations on the Sunshine Coast who broadcast to not just South-East Queensland but the Pacific—they account for 46 per cent of the total radio broadcast market. In speaking to this bill I reflect on the vital role played by Sunshine FM and the various community broadcasters on the Sunshine Coast.

Community broadcasters have long been raising concerns with the approach of the Australian Communications and Media Authority in their granting of licences and their management of compliance and assessment. As a result of these changes, community radio broadcasters will enjoy more certainty around what is required of them and existing broadcasters will be supported with a clearer, more flexible and more streamlined renewal process. One of the biggest frustrations for broadcasters is that each time they're required to renew their licence they are essentially treated as new applicants. This fails to reflect their hard work and years of community service. It also adds an excessive and unnecessary burden on largely volunteer organisations whose personnel and resources are more often than not stretched.

Broadcasters have also raised concerns about ACMA's uneven and unclear approach to licensing, compliance and assessment. While the existing legislation gives some direction, it is in no way exhaustive or prescriptive. This bill replaces the old provision for the refusal of renewal applications for a community broadcasting licence with a provision that is far clearer about that discretion vested in ACMA.

Under the new provision, ACMA will retain its ability when considering applications for CBL renewals to consider six key criteria. The first key criterion is the extent to which the service would meet the existing and perceived future needs of the community within the licence area of the proposed licence. The second key criterion is the nature and diversity of the interests of that community and the extent to which the proposed service or services would provide material of local significance. The third key criterion is the nature and diversity of other broadcasting services available within that licence area. The fourth key criterion is the capacity of the applicant to provide the proposed service or services. The fifth key criterion is the concentration of licences or control of multiple licences in one person or service. I note that there has been a change of deputy speaker because you wanted to come in to listen to this speech about community radio, as well you should—

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