Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Stephens for the question. I commence my answer by saying that she is quite wrong—there is actually a difference between a local presence plan for a major telecommunications company and a local presence plan for regional radio stations. But, moving right along, the important thing to understand about regional protection is that it will protect regional content and diversity for consumers because it is a key component of the media package that was introduced into parliament earlier today. There are a number of measures, for Senator Stephens’s information, contained in the framework that will ensure that regional consumers do not miss out on the benefits of media reform. To best achieve protection of local content levels, the government will legislate to maintain minimum content levels for regional commercial television in regional Queensland, regional New South Wales and regional Victoria. It will also be extended to Tasmania, and the government is examining similar requirements in respect of South Australia and Western Australia.

In addition—particularly in relation to radio, which Senator Stephens asked about—where regional commercial radio licensees change ownership or become part of a cross-media group, they will be required to meet minimum local content levels, including local news and weather bulletins, local community service announcements and emergency warnings. They will be required to maintain at least the existing level of local presence, including staff levels, studios and other production facilities, and to submit local content plans to the Australian Communications Media Authority, which will specify how licensees will meet their local licence conditions, for consideration and for approval.

Local content obligations may also be imposed where the format of the service is narrowed or when the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts directs ACMA to consider imposing local content requirements. Local content requirements and the need to protect consumers and to ensure diversity in rural and regional Australia have been a key part of the government’s development of the media package. They ensure that those in rural and regional areas will be able to maintain a level of live and local content and that there is an important journalistic presence in respect of news and broader local content. The balance in enabling radio stations to take part in the media package while maintaining local diversity has been an important part of how this package has been developed. I consider that it is critical that a live and local presence be maintained. On the same point, it is very critical to ensure that there is not a special and overburdening layer of regulation just on rural and regional radio and television. It is important that there is not a two-tier system of regulation for media. In addition, it is extremely important that those who consider mergers in these areas do so knowing well in advance what will be required to maintain a live and local presence so we can approach these reforms with media companies with certainty and with consumers being certain of how they will be able to access live and local services.