Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Hansard source

I thank members who have contributed to the debate on the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Community Television) Bill 2024. Across the parliament, there is a great level of support for community broadcasting, including for community television. I acknowledge members' support for the sector and its role in the community as well as in the media industry.

The Albanese government recognises that community television services Channel 31 Melbourne and Channel 44 Adelaide provide an important platform for local news and content and local businesses and are training grounds for talent. We want the engaging, informative programs these services create to be accessible for their communities to enjoy over terrestrial broadcast for as long as there is a spectrum available for them to do so. That is why the government is delivering on its promise to keep Channel 31 and Channel 44 on air until an alternative use for the spectrum they currently use is realised.

Over the past decade, there have been multiple amendments to set an expiry date for these services. This has created confusion and uncertainty. The approach set out in the bill reasserts the objectives of broadcasting and radio communications policy and the role that the broadcasting industry and its regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, have in facilitating efficient planning, allocation and use of the spectrum.

The bill replaces the existing reliance on fixed expiry dates with a new framework that affords the broadcasting industry and government flexibility to respond to as yet undetermined future uses of spectrum, while allowing Channel 31 and Channel 44 to have confidence in their own forward planning and decision-making.

The bill will amend the Radiocommunications Act 1992 to provide the ACMA with the power to make available the apparatus licences for both channels until it declares that the spectrum they access is required for other purposes. The ACMA is well placed to make such decisions in accordance with the objectives of law, as the regulator with expertise in spectrum management and broadcast licensing.

When the time comes for these two remaining community television services to vacate the spectrum, the bill ensures they will be granted at least 12 months notice to transition to online platforms. It is expected the government and the ACMA will work with industry in the identification of any new uses for the spectrum and on the eventual transition to other services.

It is important to note the bill does not provide for the ACMA to consider issuing new community television licences. This reflects the ongoing policy intent that the spectrum currently used by Channel 31 and Channel 44 may ultimately be required for other purposes. Without being able to predict when an alternative use for the spectrum will be identified, it is not possible to provide reasonable certainty to prospective new licensees. They could risk dedicating time and resources to applying for a licence and, if successful, investing in broadcasting equipment and other set-up costs only to lose access to the spectrum before they have had time to recoup their investment.

Finally, the bill further streamlines regulatory arrangements for the licensees and the regulator through amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 that will allow for Channel 31 and Channel 44 to operate under the same code of practice. This bill demonstrates the government's support for the staff and volunteers of community television services, as well as our ongoing commitment to facilitating a positive operating environment for all sectors of Australia's broadcasting industry. I commend the bill.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.

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