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

I move:

That this House:

(1) recognises that regional print media:

(a) contributes positively to community well-being and maintains paramount civic value to rural Australians;

(b) facilitates opportunities for local journalists to cover stories of significant local importance;

(c) delivers media diversity in a highly competitive market dominated by two large conglomerates; and

(d) enables the collection and preservation of local and regional histories via national archives resources such as Trove; and

(2) acknowledges the following challenges endured by the regional print media industry:

(a) difficulties in maintaining consistent revenue streams;

(b) the closure of over 200 regional newspapers across Australia during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020; and

(c) changes in government communications policy with the change in Government; and

(3) calls on the Government to review communications policy and regional print media funding to ensure that:

(a) the regional print media industry survives declining economic conditions;

(b) regional print media continues to provide entirely localised news for regional communities, which maximises social harmony;

(c) opportunities for country Australians seeking careers in print journalism are maintained; and

(d) media diversity in regional Australia remains, to prevent a city-based newspaper from becoming the sole source of print media in an entire state.

Local news media and local newspapers play a vital and important role in our regional communities. Much-loved local newspapers in Mayo include the Victor Harbor Times and the Fleurieu Sun, which is quite a new paper. They're both on the south coast. I also have the Mount Barker Courier, which is a very long-established paper in Mayo, the Kangaroo Island Islander and the Southern Argus, which covers the eastern side of the Hills, through Strathalbyn and right down to Goolwa. I have a regional electorate, and it has really well-loved regional newspapers.

These publications make a key contribution to the fourth pillar of the democratic state, helping to hold those in government to account—independent media that help deliver diversity, both geographically and in a market which is dominated by two large players. As well as covering national issues, these newspapers advocate for, and cover, stories of significant local importance which might otherwise not receive attention from mainstream media. In regional communities, they have a further positive role, contributing to community wellbeing. I see them as the social glue that holds our towns and our regions together. They respond to local victories, but also they cover local tragedies with great sensitivity. They help to preserve the local histories we so highly value. They are often family run businesses. From the beginning of the COVID pandemic to now, we saw over 200 regional newspapers close across Australia. With changes to the federal government's communications policy at the last election, papers are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain consistent revenue streams. They now rely on revenue from digital platforms, cover price and government support.

But federal government inquiries into regional media in recent years have recommended that the federal government commit funding to regional media advertising. That's why I'm calling on the government to review its communications policy and regional print media funding. For example, I believe that Australians should be able to read about changes to Centrelink or indeed the referendum in their local newspaper. I've been contacted by Country Press Australia. They tell me that the independent regional newspapers have not been included in the government advertising plans for the referendum. They tell me that, if this stands, it will reinforce the interpretation that the referendum is focused on power centres in Canberra and our capital cities. Regional and remote Australia rely heavily on our local newspapers. For many of us, it's considered the Bible, and you pick it up every Monday or Thursday or whenever it's out. Deakin University confirmed recently that securing the future of quality and reliable news and information platforms in non-metropolitan areas is in the national interest and that local news matters to our democracy. But it has struggled and is requiring support.

We need to ensure that regional print media is included when government are organising their advertising and information-sharing, particularly with respect to the Voice referendum process. Retaining regional print media is one way to engage and communicate better with regional Australians. It maximises our social harmony. It provides ongoing opportunities for country people who want to work in journalism. I urge the government to provide support for the media and news diversity in regional Australia. When you support our regional media, you're supporting regional Australians.

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