Ross Vasta (Bonner, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I would like to speak about a longstanding community radio station that provides a vital service to my electorate and to the wider Brisbane region. Radio 4EB is the only multicultural radio station in Brisbane, with about 55 languages, broadcasting 24/7. It has been a valuable voice for Brisbane's ethnic community since 1979. The station receives federal funding for the purchase and maintenance of equipment and wages for a handful of office staff. As 4EB is a not-for-profit, it depends on donations to help cover costs to stay on the air. All of its broadcasters work as volunteers and each language group must find their own ways to support their activities.

I have been proud to support 4EB's past fundraising efforts. I was glad to hear that last year's radiothon was a great success. More recently, I was pleased to donate a very special raffle prize for the Vietnamese language group's third annual fundraising evening last Saturday. The group was a founding member of 4EB, and it is a testament to their good work that they are still going strong almost four decades later. At their fundraiser, the group auctioned a bottle of wine signed by the Prime Minister. After fierce bidding, it went for a record $1,100. As their convenor, Viet, told me later, the 200 or so guests were big fans of the Prime Minister and his support for community groups. The group raised over $6,000 in total—an all-time record. Congratulations, and I wish them and all the other groups at 4EB many more successes on and off the air.