Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

Regional print media is a crucial part of our nation's fabric, vital in supporting the wellbeing of our rural communities. Supporting regional print media also ensures media diversity in a highly competitive market, which in turn strengthens the collection and preservation of our local stories. The regional print media industry has endured many challenges over the years. At the beginning of the pandemic close to 200 newspapers across Australia closed and that caused so many shock waves. This event, along with changes to government communications policy between previous and incumbent governments, created a perfect storm in an already challenging media landscape. As such, I call on the government to review communications policy to ensure that our funding for regional print is appropriately considered. News which is focused entirely on local issues facilitates social harmony and ensures that city based news is not oversaturated in the country.

I'd like to acknowledge the good work of Country Press SA and, of course, my local newspapers—that's the Islander on Kangaroo Island; the Victor Harbour Times; the Fleurieu Sun, down on the Fleurieu; the Southern Argus, that works its way from Goolwa all the way up through to Mount Barker, based in Strathalbyn; and the Mount Barker Courier. They are all terrific newspapers. They're ensuring that our stories, my community's stories, are told—and have been told for decades. We need to make sure though that regional print media has a future.

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